Over 1,800 already released - Chief Govt Whip

Uditha Kumarasinghe, Irangika Range and Sandasen Marasinghe

Chief Government Whip Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle yesterday told Parliament that of the 2,184 persons arrested by the Security Forces over the weekend, over 1,800 persons have already been released after questioning.

The Minister said only 360 persons are now in the custody. They will also be released when the investigations are completed. The Minister was responding to a question raised by the UNP MP T. Maheshwaran regarding the Tamil people taken in by the Security Forces during a special search operation conducted over the weekend.

He said Ministers Arumugam Thondaman, T. Chandrasekaran and Deputy Minister Radhakrishnan met President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Monday and held extensive discussions on this issue. Following this discussion, steps were taken to release a large number of people who were in custody.

"But investigations should be carried out on these arrested people. As I mentioned earlier, the LTTE is very capable of issuing forged identity cards and police reports."

The minister said Maheshwaran is making irresponsible statements in the House. He is not talking honestly.

Fernandopulle said when his benefits are not received, Maheshwaran blames and criticises the President by attempting to paste the nationalistic label on the Government.

If Maheshwaran is really concerned about this issue, he would have discussed it with the President. But he only talks about matters which are beneficial to him.

The Minister said "This is not any harassment by the Government to the Tamil community. The President has great sympathy and affection for the Tamil community rather than Maheshwaran.

But it is the responsibility of the Government to ensure the security of the every citizen.

TNA MP S. Srikanthan asked on how many people are being kept in detention based on the detention orders issued by the Defence Secretary. He also asked about the period of detention of these arrested people.

Minister Fernandopulle questioned whether Maheshwaran or Srikanthan can give a guarantee that any of these arrested citizens are not connected to the LTTE.