3 LTTE prisoners on hunger strike to refuse fluids

Demands Govt. charge them or release them

Three LTTE suspects engaged in a hunger strike at the Anuradhapura Prison since Sept.23, have threatened to stop taking fluids from today (8), unless the Govt either brings charges against them or, orders their release.

A delegation of six Northern Provincial Council (NPC) members who visited the Anuradhapura Prison yesterday, failed to persuade the fasting detainees to give up their hunger strike until the delegation could meet President Maithripala Sirisena to brief him on the matter.

The delegation comprised NPC Chairman C.V.K. Sivagnanam, Provincial Minister of Women Affairs & Rehabilitation, Ananthy Sasitharan, former Minister P. Sathyalingam, PCs S. Sundaralingam, Dr V. Thavanathan and M.K. Sivajilingam.

PC M.K. Sivajilingam told journalists later that, of the 21 LTTE suspects at the Anuradhapura Prison, three have been refusing food since Sept.23, demanding the State either bring charges against them or, release them.

The NPC Members had met with all the LTTE detainees and held separate discussions with those who were on hunger strike. He said they promised to take the matter up with the President and urged the detainees to halt the fast. The detainees, however, had refused and warned they would stop drinking water as well, from today, if the Govt did not provide a solution to their issue.

Mr Sivajilingam said they would seek an urgent meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena to brief him on the situation, to find a speedy solution.