“As agreed by the government all Political Prisoners must be released” says the TNA MP and its spokesperson M.A. Sumanthiran.
After visiting to the Anuradhapura Prison, Sumanthiran said; “In the event the government does not respond in the next few days they too would be forced to join the prisoners in their fasting.”
TNA MP and Spokesperson M.A Sumanthiran visited the Anuradhapura Prison along with Provincial Council members Asmin Yakoob and Sanankiyan Sayandan yesterday and spoke to the Political Prisoners who were observing a token fast demanding their release by the government yesterday.
At the Anuradhapura Prison there were 36 prisoners observing the fast of whom two had already been hospitalized. They vowed to continue the fast until the goverment released all Political Prisoners and requested that the public too join their cause.
“The prisoners in relating their individual stories said that they had already served a much longer term which than their crimes warranted in the event they had been convicted. They requested of TNA MP and Spokesperson M.A Sumanthiran to take their cause with the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister on hearing the same said that he was awaiting a report from the AG’s department on thier stance on the Prisoners.” said Sumanthiran.
Burt / October 15, 2015
TNA got played and they don’t have anyone else to blame than themselves. Compared to other parties they are educated and seasoned politicians and should have known anything not on paper would not have a foot to stand on.
Stupidity always has a price tag unfortunately its the Tamil people that will have to pay.
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Jim softy / October 17, 2015
Who is Dumb and get played.
TNA or the Tamils living Overseas ?
Sumanthiran is a lawyer and a politician.
His way of life is exploiting, manipulating.
that might work that might not.
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Tamil from the north / October 18, 2015
@Jim Shitty, what machine did you come out of? Were you really born to two humans or something else? You are one racist mongrel, people should spit on.
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Ramany K / October 15, 2015
Hello Suma,
The justice minister says”There are no political prisoners in the country’s prisons”.
You are the fourth powerful man in the government. Dont you know this?
Do you have the guts to challenge the justice minister?Your visit to A’pura prison is just to hoodwink the poor Tamils.This is what you people are doing for decades.
If you cant at least get the the Tamil prisoners released ,just resign and quit politics.
If there are no political prisoners,then
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Plato. / October 15, 2015
If the prisoners are Political prisoners,their release should be a Political decision!
The AG does not come into the scene.
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Sinhala_Man / October 15, 2015
The profundity of your comment belies its brevity.
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Thiru / October 15, 2015
M.A. Sumanthiran,
Don’t you know that Sri Lankan governments are not in the habit of honoring agreements, even international ones – like India-Sri Lanka agreement of 1987?
Sri Lankan regimes nurture the impunity of its agents from the very top, irrespective of agreements or pacts, they don’t care!
They are law unto themselves.
The story repeats – old wine in new bottles.
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Vibhushana / October 15, 2015
So here’s the thing.
The guy is willing to go on hunger strike to release Tamil war criminals.
Yet the guy was camped outside UNHCR for 6 years trying to prosecute alleged Sinhala war criminals!
I think this is an own goal. I don’t think one can get more juvenile than this.
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Sengodan. M / October 15, 2015
Sumanthiran,
The Tamil people shall judge you by what you can deliver to these political prisoners by whatever name the Justice minister may call them!
Sengodan. M
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Sinhala_Man / October 15, 2015
Dear Mr Sumanthiran,
You are aman whom I admire as you will realise if you see what I have said here:
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/prisoners-of-pta-an-appeal-to-the-president/
Now, I’m hungry! I have spent about two hours posting four comments on this subject which I think is very important. The firs comment to be posted,
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/pathetic-plight-of-fasting-prisoners/
took a long time to write. I had to get my references right!
May we succeed in turning this in to a land of the righteous. But for now: my breakfast! Oh, it’ll become brunch! 11.37 a.m.
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The Rogue Ayer / October 15, 2015
Sumanthiran,
Who has decided that the detained Tamils are political prisoners? Amnesty International, UN, TNA, you?
Some of them might be war criminals, some might be political prisoners and others totally innocent.
I know some of the detained and the ones I know were hard core LTTE middle level leaders. Does that mean that they are political prisoners or should be accused of war crimes? I do not know.
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Piranha / October 15, 2015
The mere fact that no charges have been levelled against these people despite them being in prison for many years clearly suggests that they have not committed any crimes.
It is very likely that the AG has no evidence against them and therefore the reason is political. The government is trying to save face and is trying to find some lame excuses for the grave injustices done to these people.
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MR / October 15, 2015
Sumanthiran
If you are honest and sincere in the remand prisoners’ release why don’t you start fast unto death immediately instead of waiting for the next few days.Do you honestly believe that this government will release them in the next few days or months? Read the views of Minister of Justice, appearing in CT.
Remand Prisoners have waited too long- several years – while you all are having election victory celebrations and foreign trips. We all know you all in the TNA are liars and cheats. If NOT prove it by fasting with immediate effect.
After your visit to Anuradhapura prison and posing for photographs and sending it to CT for cheap publicity,did you all had a sumptuous meal in a nearby restaurant Mr Sumanthiran?
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Native Vedda / October 15, 2015
MR
“If you are honest and sincere in the remand prisoners’ release why don’t you start fast unto death immediately instead of waiting for the next few days.”
M.A. Sumanthiran is a politician and by definition people don’t trust politicians.
Now you seem to be a good, honest, caring … person. If you do really care about the remand prisoners you should lead the struggle, immediately commence your fast onto death.
The people will be right behind you.
We know a martyr by the name of Wimal Weerawansa.
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Sirisena Yatawara / October 15, 2015
TNA still backing LTTE terrorist outfit after become leaders of an opposition party in Parliament.
TNA is not that national political party. Its played covered political operation behind system , by this time TNA want to be dismantle democratic foundation for hook or crook of Island.
Indeed which LTTE ex-hard core political criminals had been undermined rights of democratic norms not that only Sinhalese and Muslims ,but as well as Tamil civilians in north-east part of Island over more than last 30 odd years.
They ( Tamil Terrorist )need due punishments and accountability under law of land for their criminal offences against People of Sri lanka.
TNA is up to what type of democracy ! Is that Tamil terrorist for them(TNA) are “boys”?
What type of Tamil democracy of Eealm is this?
There is no way to misused political power to undermined by TNA
so-called mandate to release Tamil Terrorist from prisons by UNP-RW western agenda.
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Pygmalion / October 15, 2015
SIRISENA YATAWARA.
You type….
TNA is upto what type of democracy! Is that Tamil terrorist for them[TNA] are boys?
Perhaps,in terms of age they were classified as boys.
Even in 1971,the JVP were boys.
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Jim softy / October 16, 2015
YEs boys and girls were suicide bombers, black tigers, LTTE navy, LTTE airforce, LTTE brigadiers are all now boys.
Kasippu bishop is a saviour.
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Tamil from the north / October 16, 2015
@Jim Shitty, YEs boys and girls were suicide bombers, black tigers, LTTE navy, LTTE airforce, LTTE brigadiers are all now boys.
I will answer the above concern for you;
All these LTTE guys were government Ministers, chief Ministers and Presidential advisors in the Parapaksa regime and your Gnanasara Thero a Buddhist terrorist now in jail.
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K.A Sumanasekera / October 16, 2015
This is interesting….Isn’t it !!!.
“Agreement” Which agreement one may wonder …
Is it the one signed between Samabandan and Batalanda Ranil in Singapore?.
Or it it the Agreement signed in London by Mangalan , UNP London, Suren Surendran and Eric Solhiem
Or is it the MOU between Sira / Madam and Batalanada Ranil/ Vellala party Leader Sambandan?…
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Jim softy / October 16, 2015
IT looks like Mangalam, Ranil, Galleon Ravi – all have signed agreements to release suicide bombers and black tigers.
All the terrorists are in the parliament and the innocent boys and girls in the jail.
One time, some one had given all the details of military spies.
they are paying back the donations they got.
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Sirisena Yatawara / October 16, 2015
JVP politics are against State of Ceylon 1971 and 1988/89 that an opposed Sri Lankan state run by UNP and SLFP ruling classes since 1948.
I quite do not agreed with JVP’s political terrorism and anarchism that their an ideology belongs JVP leadership, which is against democracy norms of Parliamentary mode of governances in an Island.
Indeed rank and file majority JVP members were rebellions against Capitalist state run by UNP oriented, Neo-colonial governances back by US, UK and Indian -RAW.
There is principle different of ‘Boys of JVP” and “LTTE Boys”.
In fact ‘LTTE boys’ are for Eealm rough state to be partition of Island and divide and rule of People by ethnic basis is key factor of that Road map guided by US UK and Indian neo-colonial agenda.
So that they were not rebellions of system for different purposed of agenda for New Imperials hegemony of US and Indian expansions of Indian Ocean..
The “LTTE boys” are Terrorist and anti- sovereignty elements of defend mission of US and Indian is back by ongoing TNA new political road map as an Party of Opposition leadership—-is called …so-called new version of “US democracy”.
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Jim softy / October 16, 2015
All the suicide bombers and black tigers are political prisoners.
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Native Vedda / October 16, 2015
Jim softy
“All the suicide bombers and black tigers are political prisoners.”
Suicide bombers by definition are suppose to die in the act. How come you have prisoners after they had blown up themselves?
Increasingly your health is deteriorating. You need someone to deep throat you below your belt on a regular basis.
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Tamil from the north / October 16, 2015
@NV, why don’t you give him something he will hate, this act you have suggested might give him immense pleasure. By the way his name has been changed to Jim Shitty.
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Native Vedda / October 16, 2015
Tamil from the north
Jimmy is a sad man. It appears that he never had had experienced happiness in his entire life. He needs to relief himself.
Bottled up desires put lot of pressure on him to say things that a regularly relieved man would not say.
Make him happy rther than more sad. He might turn into a serial rapist/killer or commit suicide.
I want everyone to be happy hence the need and ability to enjoy deep throat.
If you are sad try once.
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Rodney / October 16, 2015
Sunanthiran know better as a lawyer you cant just let any prisoner go.
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Burt / October 16, 2015
Rodney,
As a lawyer he also knows that a person cannot be held in custody for this long a period without any charges being brought against them.
To be frank this whole thing is a mess. Some want the President to pardon but how do you pardon someone that has not been found guilty in a court of law. They should be demanding unconditional release of all persons where the state has not been able to bring charges and expedite where the state is able to bring charges.
Those prisoned without any evidence of wrong doing should file cases against the state for compensation for pain and suffering as its not only them that suffered but children had to grow-up without parents because of the states racism or incompetency.
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Balla Balla / October 17, 2015
Rodney,
“Sunanthiran know better as a lawyer you cant just let any prisoner go.”
He knows but is sinking to the usual level of our politicians. The same happened to Vigneswaran.
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Inspector Dirty Harry / October 16, 2015
Sumanthiran,
“Sumanthiran said; “In the event the government does not respond in the next few days they too would be forced to join the prisoners in their fasting.”
Why would the government join the fasting prisoners?
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Tamil from the north / October 16, 2015
@Inspector Dirty Harry, we have Wimal Booruwansa present to do the fasting on behalf of the government with a pack of biscuits.
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pacs / October 17, 2015
They are illegal prisoners.
PTA should be removed. There is no democracy with PTA.
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Inspector Dirty Hari / October 17, 2015
Today Opposition and TNA leader MP Sampanthan admits in Daily Mirror that some of the Tamils detained under the PTA have committed serious offences and that they have been charged.
I wish to thank him for this important clarificiation.
“However, no relief will be given to those charged with serious offenses,” Mr. Sampathan said.”
http://www.dailymirror.lk/91647/possible-release-for-some-tamil-prisoners
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justice / October 18, 2015
President Maithripala Sirisena was jailed for fifteen months, when aged 19 years, for alleged involvement with the JVP.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maithripala_Sirisena
Therefore he knows the trials and tribulations of being incarcerated for alleged “crimes” one had not been guilty of, or, in activity he thought was political, and not criminal.
He is president of ALL citizens, including alleged criminals.
He should show compassion and at least expedite trials of these unfortunate citizens.
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Ranil Wijeyesekera / October 19, 2015
What is the definition of a olitical prisnor. Certainly a prisnor who a charge sheet has not being issued for 6 months. A prisnor who is a state witness.
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