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Tamil political prisoner escapes from Sri Lankan custody

A Tamil political prisoner, who was admitted into Jaffna Teaching Hospital, escaped from Sri Lankan police on Wednesday night.

The prisoner, identified as 37 year old Rasaiya Anantharaja, was admitted into Jaffna Hospital on 14 Aug, following a transfer from Anuradhapura prison hospital.

Despite being held under police surveillance, at around 10 pm on Wednesday, guards noticed Mr Anantharaja was not at his bed. The alarm was raised and security forces immediately began an intense search of the surrounding areas. He has not yet been found.

Mr Anantharaja was first arrested by Sri Lankan police on 31 April 2006. After 6 years of imprisonment, he was eventually released on 31 May 2012. However, he was subsequently rearrested just months later on 24 November 2012. Since then he has been held at Anuradhapura prison. 

Mr Anantharaja was part of a group of Tamil political prisoners who took part in a hunger strike earlier this year, protesting against their continued detention. As his health deteriorated, he was admitted into Anuradhapura prison hospital, where he was been held up to his transfer. Ceylon Today reported earlier this month that Tamil prisoners who required admitting into hospital were being chained to their beds.

A security operation is currently underway in Jaffna, attempting to locate the missing prisoner.

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