Jaffna Demo for release of political prisoners

A demonstration was held in Jaffna demanding the release of political prisoners.

The protest was organized under the patronage of New Democratic Marxist Leninist Party. Protesters gathered in front of Central Bus Stand this morning, stating that many Tamil prisoners have been languishing in jail for months or years without being charged.

Meanwhile, relatives and civil rights activists  staged a silent protest in front of the main railroad station in Colombo, demanding the immediate release of their family members still detained under anti-terrorism laws.

Sanjeewa Bandara, a spokesman for the Movement for Equal Rights, said about 300 minority Tamils are being held, “but they are not responsible for the war, they are in fact the victims of the war.”

TNPF leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, said these detainees are being kept in custody in a “fundamentally flawed and unjust manner” and therefore, they should be released immediately without any conditions.