Kidnapped Sri Lankan released unharmed

Umar Jaleel, a Sri Lankan attached to the Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) on Basilan island in the Mindanao region in Philippines and kidnapped by armed men on February 13, 2009 was released yesterday unharmed, said a press release issued in Brussels by NP.

He was released following negotiations between NP and the captors with the assistance of the local contacts supported by the provincial administration.

NP Executive Director Mel Duncan said that they are thankful to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and its forces in Basilan, the Provincial Governor of Basilan, the Consortium of Bangsmoro Civil Society and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for their cooperation during Jaleel's captivity.

Jaleel and his family will be re-united in Sri Lanka very soon, said the NP press release.