The Sri Lankan government on Thursday reached out to about 200 Tamil prisoners who are on a fast for the fourth day demanding immediate release. The government deputed Justice Minister Wijayadasa Rajapaksa to the Wellikada jail complex here and assured them of speedy action.
Rajitha Senaratne, Cabinet spokesperson and Health Minister, said the issue was discussed at a meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday after it was raised by Mano Ganesan, Minister for National Dialogue.
“It has been decided that steps will be taken to secure the release of those against whom there were no prima facie cases. In respect of others, trial would be expedited,” Mr. Senaratne said.
Asked how many prisoners were housed in jails across the country, he said that no figure was mentioned during the Cabinet meeting. However, Commissioner General of Prisons Rohana Pushpakumara was quoted as saying that there were 201 persons who were booked under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Tamil leaders have described them as “political prisoners.” But as per an unofficial estimate, there are 217 such prisoners. Thirteen agitating prisoners were reported to have been hospitalised.
At the media briefing, Dr. Senaratne, however, said there were no political prisoners in the country.
The Justice Minister, accompanied by State Minister of Child Affairs Vijayakala Maheswaran and Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian, M.A. Sumanthiran, later told reporters that action would be taken by the end of this year on the release of the prisoners.
In a statement issued on Wednesday night, the TNA stated that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Mr. Sumanthiran that he was awaiting a report from the office of Attorney General on the issue of prisoners. Mr. Sumanthiran visited the Anuradhapura prison where 36 prisoners were observing the fast.
Chief Minister of the Northern Province, C.V.Wigneswaran, in a letter to President Maithripala Sirisena, suggested that those suspected of having committed “minor offences” be provided a general amnesty or released immediately on bail.
