Sri Lanka denies amnesty to Tamil prisoners

Colombo, Oct. 28 : The Sri Lankan Government has denied granting general amnesty to the Tamil prisoners but has decided to expedite the bail procedures for many of them.

The decision was made at a high level meeting on Monday attended by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Law and Order and Prison Reforms Minister Thilak Marapana, Minister of National Dialogue Mano Ganesan and other officials, the LankaPage reported.

Earlier this month, over 200 Tamil prisoners at the main prison in Colombo went on hunger strikes demanding their release. They were later joined by Tamils prisoners from other jails.

They ended their strikes following an assurance from President Maithripala Sirisena that the government will look into the matter and decision will be made by November 7.

Many of these prisoners have been in jails from past15 years for allegedly having involvement in terrorist activities under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Many of whom are still awaiting decisions by the courts. (ANI)