News
President Sirisena to review files of fast-unto-death detainees
View(s):President Maithripala Sirisena is to review files of detainees held under terrorism charges, as over a hundred of them in prisons islandwide are continuing their fast-unto-death for the seventh consecutive day. The President had assured a delegation from the Northern Provincial (NP) Council led by its Chief Minister (CM) C.V. Wigneswaran on Thursday that the files will be reviewed.
The CM yesterday sent an urgent letter to President Sirisena regarding the condition of the fasting detainees, as nine of them are critical. “I have pointed out to him that, even though he promised us to take some important decisions on Monday, after the Attorney General’s report was submitted to him. He has to take immediate steps to save these prisoners who are in a serious condition,” he told the media in Jaffna.
The NP Fisheries Minister B. Danishwaran who took part in the hour-long meeting with the President, told the Sunday Times that the President was very informed about the detainees issue. President Sirisena also explained to the NPC cabinet the practical issues he was faced with in the South, when a political decision is to be taken regarding releasing or granting a general pardon to the prisoners.
Prisons Commissioner General Rohana Pushpakumara said fasting detainees have informed him in writing that they don’t want to receive any medication in future if their health condition worsens.”Some of them were taken to the prison hospital, and if their condition worsens we have to take a decision,” he said.
He said, “24 out of 31 detainees were released on bail by the courts this week, while the rest will be released after their bail conditions are fulfilled on Monday,” Meanwhile, the Justice ministry said in a statement, following the release of the first batch of detainees, that those released on bail have not been acquitted from the charges, and only given bail on strict conditions. (SR)