This Article is From May 22, 2012

TNA calls for release of Tamil political prisoners

Colombo: The Tamil National Alliance has called on the government to take immediate steps to release all Tamil political prisoners.

R Sampanthan, the leader of the TNA told the Sri Lankan parliament on Tuesday that there are 234 Tamil political prisoners who are on a hunger strike.

"The prisoners have refused to call off their fast stating that several assurances given in the past have not been kept and that this time they are determined to fast unto death", Mr Sampanthan said.

Mr Sampanthan said he was appreciative of government action to rehabilitate and release 10,000 former LTTE recruits. "however, inexplicably many hundreds still remain in custody."

TNA requested that proper and responsible assurances be given to the fasting prisoners so that they suspend their hunger strike.

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