Tamil political prisoners on hunger strike in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Friday, 08 January 2010, 07:30 GMT]
Around 55 Tamil political prisoners, arrested under the Sri Lankan Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and Emergency Regulation (ER) and detained in Trincomalee prison for a long time without any legal action, have launched a hunger strike since Wednesday, sources in Trincomalee said. The prisoners on hunger strike have appealed to the relevant authorities to release them, in a letter sent to the media, the sources added.

The following is the gist of the appeal sent to the media signed by 35 prisoners on hunger strike:

"We, the political prisoners held in remand prison without any inquiry or legal action, are to launch a hunger strike from 6:00 a.m on 6 January.

"We who had been arrested on false charges by the police under PTA and ER demand immediate release or bail or general amnesty.

"When persons who had been leading members in real militant groups have been given top posts in the government why should we, who had nothing to do with militancy, be punished on false charges?

"We have lost our families, robbed of our education, and now we are left alone without anyone.

"We will not give up our struggle like other political prisoners but will continue to fast until our demands are met.

"The government should take action to release us within a week."