Tamil Political Prisoners’ heart melting appeal to Maithri for General Amnesty

The Tamil Political Prisoners had sent an appeal to the President calling for a General Amnesty.

Following are the contents of this memorandum:

“ We, who are in detention for a very long time, have determined to take the experiences we have had, as lessons of life and to face the future which shall be constituted of sweet days.

Your kindness and peacefulness  should pave the way for us to be considered as citizens and released soon.

320 of us including, young men, girls, differently abled and the old alike, were arrested under emergency and PTA and detained for periods equivalent to or more than prison terms that could be passed for serious crimes.

We have spent more than half of our lives behind bars. Our families are subjected to severe mental, physical and economical stresses. They have been driven into utter poverty by being made to spend much money on us.

We have been confined within four walls, loosing gradually, the naturalness  of human life.

We stretching our hands in request of your kindness, in using the special powers vested in your good office, to free us from this hell and allow us to lead a normal human life. We appeal that we also be granted the chance of being integrated into society like the ex-militants who were integrated into society after rehabilitation.

When the whole country is enjoying development and blooming peace, our hearts are filled with frustrations and disappointments. In a context of Sinhala people have realized the fairness of our release, we hope with the whole heart that your Hon. Self will take a favourable decision on us.”

Copies of this memorandum had been sent to 12 important persons including, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice, National Executive Board, Attorney General, Minister of Justice, Minister of Law and Order and the Chief Minister of NPC.