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Tamils and SLA prisons and checkpoints

A pregnant woman gave birth in a three-wheeler due to a heavy search operation conducted by the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) as she was on the way to the hospital.

The pregnant woman was traveling from Kodikammam to Chavakachcheri hospital in a three-wheeler. She was passing through Meesalai where SLA was conducting search operation from 8:00 am. The SLA was going house to house, conducting extensive search, which also held up vehicles passing through the area.

The pregnant woman was caught up in this search operation and was in the three-wheeler for one and a half hours before she gave birth in the three-wheeler.

Young asthmatic woman dies in Sri Lankan prison due to no medical attention

Suganthini (26) from Urumpirai, Jaffna died in a Sri Lankan prison from an asthma attack for which she received no medical attention.

Suganthini was arrested in Katunayake airport in Colombo on 31 January 2006 on the charge that she was carrying a fake visa to travel overseas. She was taken to Negombo prison and has been detained there for five months, without her case being brought to court, with no inquiries and no bail.

Due to her asthmatic condition, her health was failing. On Sunday, when her condition became more serious her fellow female inmates brought her medical condition to the attention of the prison authorities, but no action was taken. Suganthini died on Monday, 5 June at 5:30 am and was taken to the hospital after her death.

There are many other prisoners at Negombo prison arrested on the accusation that they were attempting to travel overseas with fake visas. The prisoners have not been told why they are detained and have not been notified of any steps taken to investigate their cases.

The prisoners have started a fasting protest on Monday objecting that their cases are not being brought to court. The prisoners have stated that they will continue the fasting protest until they are told why they are being detained and necessary actions are taken for their cases.

Suganthini’s fellow female inmates who watched her die are frightened because of this negligence.

Tamil Prisoners to be transferred outside Northeast

Prison commissioner Major General Vajiravijeya Gunawardana said Tamil political prisoners in the Northeast will all soon be transferred to prisons in other areas. He made this announcement following the escape of seven prisoners from the Batticaloa prison on Sunday. The political prisoners held in Jaffna, Trinomalee, and Batticaloa prisons are to be transferred to prisons in Anuradhapura, Monaragala, and Colombo.

It is worth noting the two massacres of Tamil political prisoners, one that took place in Welikade prison in 1983 and the another that took place in Bindunuweva in 2001. Both massacres were carried out with the assistance of prison guards and no investigation has been made to date into these prison crimes.

06 June 2006

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