PTA suspect claims torture

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 08 February 2000, 16:37 GMT]
Ratnam Sivakumar of Neerveli south in Jaffna district was severely tortured when he was detained at Urelu Sri Lanka Army (SLA) camp, disclosed Attorney-at-Law K. Kesavan before the Jaffna District Judge.

Sivakumar was arrested by the SLA on January 4 this year under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and detained at the Urelu SLA camp where he was subjected to severe torture, the court was told.

When he was transferred to the Counter Insurgency Unit at Kankesathurai, he was given treatment for the injuries sustained due to torture at Urelu camp, the defence told court. Sivakumar informed court that he was still suffering from pains in head and chest.

The Judge observed the wounds on the body of Sivakumar in open court. Mr.R.T.Vicknarajah, District Judge then made orders remanding Sivakumar till May 5 and instructed prison officials to produced him in court on February 21 with the medical report of the Judicial Medical Officer, Jaffna Teaching Hospital.