Tamil Political Prisoners’ Release: ‘I Even Pleaded with President Anura – MP Ravikaran

Jaffna: Tamil parliamentarian Ravikaran has expressed frustration over the continued detention of Tamil political prisoners, stating that he has “pleaded with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake with folded hands” to secure their release but has yet to see any progress.

Speaking at a memorial event commemorating the prison massacre victims held at the Thanthai Chelva Memorial Hall on Saturday, the MP said he no longer knew what more could be done to appeal for the prisoners’ release.

Ravikaran recalled that in December last year, four representatives of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) were invited to the Presidential Secretariat for discussions related to Sri Lanka Day celebrations. Although the meeting had a different agenda, he said they took the opportunity to personally request President Dissanayake to release the Tamil political prisoners.

“We respectfully appealed with folded hands and asked the President to release the Tamil political prisoners. We also said it would be meaningful if they were released on Sri Lanka Day. Unfortunately, that did not happen,” he said.

The MP further noted that Tamil National MPs from the Northern and Eastern Provinces have consistently raised the issue of Tamil political prisoners in Parliament and during every opportunity they have had to meet the President.

According to Ravikaran, around 10 Tamil political prisoners remain in custody. He said the organisation Voice of the Voiceless had provided him with a dossier containing details of the detainees, which he has continued to present to the President whenever possible.

“I have repeatedly urged the President to release the Tamil political prisoners. I have even pleaded with him with folded hands. I honestly do not know what more I can do,” Ravikaran said, expressing his disappointment.

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