Prisoners’ hunger strike ends with intervention by Swaminathan

Over 153 prisoners who were taken into custody under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) went on a hunger strike recently demanding their immediate release. Of these 28 were in Anuradhapura prison, nine in Batticaloa, 12 in Bogambara and 104 in at the Magazine prison. 

Of the prisoners in Magazine prison, 24 were given bail day before yesterday; 129 prisoners were continuing their hunger strike, of them eight were given bail day before yesterday and three joined their families and the remainder were expected to join their families yesterday.

Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs D.M. Swaminathan met the prisoners and held discussions with them to give up their hunger strike yesterday. MP M.A. Sumanthiran also participated. Based on the discussion with the Minister the hunger strike was given up yesterday.

Further, at the meeting at the Prime Minister’s office, Swaminathan advised the Attorney General to work out an arrangement to send the prisoners stage by stage to the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation Bureau to enable them to undergo the rehabilitation process. This has now been agreed and as such there will be no court cases against such rehabilitees once this is announced.

This decision was conveyed by Swaminathan to the prisoners and this led to decision of the prisoners to give-up their hunger strike with effect from yesterday. It is reported that the prisoners have already taken food. This whole process indicates the goodwill of the Government to bring reconciliation informed, Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement, and Hindu Religious Affairs Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy.

Further, the Ministry Secretary also informed that under the Government with the guidance of Swaminathan, action has been initiated to construct 65,000 houses with the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for the conflict-affected people the Indian housing program supports 46,000 houses and the European Union further initiated support for 3,000 houses. 

Further, a number of houses are being constructed in Mannar District by the Government of Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Bahrain. All these efforts are accelerated after six years of the end of the war, said Sivagnanasothy.