[ Balendran Jeyakumari , a human rights activists in detention without charges nearly 10 months]
The release of Tamil political prisoners with a general pardon would pave the way for reconciliation, says Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Spokesman and Parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran.
“Tamil people have shown their goodwill by voting for the new government. They have cast their votes, placing trust in the new government, when the TNA campaigned in the North and East to vote for a change, without any precondition,” he said.
He added that the new government has received an opportunity to express its goodwill to the people of the North and East.
“These political prisoners have been spending almost 10-15 years in the prisons without any proper cases filed against them or investigations conducted. There are a large number of young women and men, who have been political prisoners for many years. No proper action had been taken,” he said.
Premachandran therefore urged the new government to take the necessary steps to release these prisoners on a general pardon.
“This will bring in a favourable beginning for the positive agreement between the TNA and new government.
“The new government should take action to release the political prisoners and resettle those who are remaining in welfare centres. The new President secured victory as the result of the votes cast by the minorities,” he said.
He also said this will strengthen the relationship between Tamils and Sinhalese. Therefore, the new President and Prime Minister should take it into consideration and act accordingly.
Premachandran expressed his views in Jaffna on Sunday (11)
By Mirudhula Thambiah
Ceylon Today