2ND LEAD

Tamil political prisoner, subjected to indefinite detention, goes on fast-unto-death

[TamilNet, Monday, 07 December 2015, 22:10 GMT]
36-year-old political prisoner Jeneevan Sivarasa, who has been indefinitely detained without trial for 9 years, on Monday launched fast-unto-death in Jaffna Prison. The SL military had detained Jeneevan Sivarasa, who hails from Achchuveali in Jaffna, in 2006 while he was on his way to Polonnaruwa from Batticaloa. An Assistant Superintendent of Police, Senakumara Singhe, who had fabricated a false confession from Jeneevan, has been systematically avoiding presenting himself at every hearing scheduled during the past 6 years at the High Court in Jaffna. Each time, the Tamil prisoner was taken to Jaffna from Colombo and his case was being postponed indefinitely. There are three cases framed against Mr Sivarasa and two of these were fabricated cases of conspiracy to assassinate Maithiripala Sirisena, who is the incumbent SL President.

The third case was blaming Jeneevan Sivarasa for taking part in armed training and participating in the war against the SL State.

Jeneevan told media that he commenced the hunger-strike to expose the plight of the prisoners like him.

Former SL President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunga, claims to be in charge of post-war reconciliation. But, she is not prepared to ask Maithiripala Sirisena to extend amnesty to a Tamil prisoner, who has been baselessly accused of a plot to assassinate her in the past. A Sri Lankan Court gave 300-year jail sentence to the Tamil prisoner, Mr Sivarasa told media through a note sent to journalists.

Sivarasa was alleged of taking part in a plot to assassinate Maithiripala Sirisena, who was a parliamentarian from Polonnaruwa district. He was an SL minister before becoming the president. Mr Sirisena himself claimed during his election campaign that he was the Deputy Defence Secretary actively involved in the war during the final stages of the genocidal onslaught on Vanni in 2009.

Kumaratunga and Sirisena should first show their capacity in reconciling with those who stand accused, falsely or not, trying to assassinate them in the past during the war. Only then they could be considered of politicians possessing the ability to face the political future of the island with statesmanship, legal sources representing the interests of Jeneevan said.

ASP Senakumara Singhe, who was present when the hearings were held at the SL court in Polonnaruwa has been advised not to attend for cross examinations by the High Court in Jaffna, the sources further said adding that the SL Attorney's Department was behind the advice.

The remaining Tamil prisoners of war and political prisoners are to announce their next move on December 15.

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