Vavuniyaa prisoners end hunger strike

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 19 July 2011, 00:18 GMT]
Following the visit to Vavuniyaa prison by Mannaar Bishop, Rayappu Joseph, and giving assurances that the Bishop will work for prisoners release, the Tamil inmates who have been conducting a fast-to-death campaign for the past eight days, agreed to end the campaign Monday evening, sources in Vavuniyaa said. Three prisoners with deteriorating health were admitted to the Vavuniyaa hospital.

The Bishop assured the fasting inmates that he will have discussions with Minister of Justice, Rauff Hakim, and Sri Lanka's Attorney General, Mohan Peiris, towards obtaining the prisoners' release, according to sources close to Rev. Rayappu Joseph.

The prisoners handed-over a memorandum to the Bishop.

While visiting the Vavuniyaa hospital, the Bishop also met with the prisoner who was already admitted to the hospital.

Two of the fasting prisoners lost their parents and brothers in the Vanni war. Others have lost at least one of their parents or siblings, forcing other relatives to live in refugee camps.

The fast-to-death campaign initially started with four prisoners and later from last Saturday six other joined the campaign.

Chronology: