Journalist claiming unlawful detention further questioned

By Telles Anandappa

A journalist detained by the Terrorism Investigation Unit on suspicion of having links with a LTTE suspect was yesterday brought to her office for further investigations where they searched documents used by her.

The suspect Munusamy Parameshwari, 25 was further questioned at the Maubima office where she worked immediately before her arrest.

She has filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court for alleged unlawful arrest and detention. The petitioner said she and her family were residing in Kilinochchi and as they were scared of the security situation in the area they came to Gampola to reside. She said her father grew flowers for temples in the area.

The petitioner said she came to Colombo to seek employment. She then obtained employment at the “Virakesari” newspaper as a journalist and later joined the Maubima.

The petitioner claims that even though she denied any involvement with anything against the law she was asked to sign some documents and was not produced before a magistrate.She said her arrest and detention was illegal and has no force in law and was in violation of her fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.