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American Tamil doctor and family detained upon arrival in Sri Lanka

A Tamil doctor has returned safely to the US after being detained upon his arrival in Sri Lanka last month.

Francises Gerard, a medical practitioner and US citizen, was detained  upon arrival in Sri Lanka on June 18.

Dr Gerard was visiting Sri Lanka with his two sons to spend time with his father who lives in Trincomalee.

After contacting his wife, who stayed in the US to manage the medical practice whilst he was away, the US Consulate sent an officer in Sri Lanka to secure the release of Dr Gerard.

Dr Gerard and his two sons were detained and interrogated for 6 hours reports, Liz Allen at Times-News.

Upon reaching Trincomalee, the family was once again visited by Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), causing the US consulate to intervene in procedures for a second time.

The family returned safely to the US on July 6.

Dr Gerard had previously been actively involved in raising awareness about human right atrocities in Sri Lanka within the US.

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