Several Tamil political prisoners languishing in prisons across the island have been forcibly taken to hospital after entering their 5th day on hunger strike on Thursday.
An estimated 18 Tamil political prisoners were taken to hospital after entering their 5th day on hunger strike to demand their release.
A further 13 fasting prisoner remain in a worsening condition within the prison said the former TNA MP Suresh Premachandran.
The Northern Provincial Council Chief Minister in a meeting with Sri Lanka’s president Sirisena was told that all Tamil political prisoners could not be released at once. Sirisena said that he did not have the power to release all the prisoners at once and that legal processes would have to be followed.
Hundreds of Tamil political prisoners are thought to be detained under the PTA, which allows for indefinite arbitrary detention without trial.
The Tamil political prisoner fasts continued amidst a long ordeal that saw 31 prisoners released on temporary bail and taken back to prison before finally being released on Thursday.
Protests in Jaffna continued on Thursday calling for the release of all Tamil political prisoners that had been arbitrarily detained by the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Tamil political parties call for public strike action in North-East to demand release of political prisoners (09 Nov 2015)
Sri Lanka PM promised 32 Tamil political prisoners to be released on Monday (06 Nov 2015)
Tamil political prisoners declare intention to fast unto death unless granted amnesty (04 Nov 2015)
Government refuses amnesty for Tamil political prisoners (27 Oct 2015)
PEARL calls for release of Tamil political prisoners (26 Oct 2015)
Hunger strike ends as Sirisena assures release of prisoners with 'minor offences' (17 Oct 2015)
Jaffna Uni students join calls for release of Tamil political detainees (16 Oct 2015)
We need your support
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.
For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.
