Minister Moragoda returns to Kalutara Jail
[November 22, 2002 - 9.30 GMT ]

Minister Milinda Moragoda visited the Kalutara prison Thursday to hold talks with prisoners and detainees held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). This follows up on the Minister’s earlier visit to the Kalutara prison on October 9^th this year which led to the suspension of the fast undertaken by a group of Tamil prisoners.

Detainees urged the Minister to visit the prison on a regular basis to assess and alleviate their problems.

At the time of the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement in February of 2002, over 600 persons were detained or convicted under the PTA. By November, 478 of the above had been released according to a news release from the Peace Secretariat. Since Minister Moragoda’s visit to the Kalutara prison in October, a further 34 prisoners have been freed.

“The Deputy Solicitor General Palitha Fernando agreed to set up a mechanism to review the pending cases and to expedite the release of those eligible for release,” the SCOPP press release stated. 

His Lordship Bishop of Mannar, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph, Deputy Solicitor General Palitha Fernando and Director General SCOPP, Bernard Goonatileke accompanied the Minister. 

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Last Updated Date: November 22, 2002  - 9.30 GMT.