The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I raise the following Question under Standing Order 27(2).

¶ 02 Around the world, persons engaged in political struggles are treated as political prisoners, not ordinary criminals. International standards, including those of the Council of Europe, define “political prisoner” as a person detained primarily due to political beliefs, actions or identity, particularly where fundamental rights are violated or punishment is disproportionate or processes unfair.

¶ 03 Sri Lanka has precedent: following past insurrections, individuals linked to the JVP were granted amnesty and reintegrated; many now hold public office. This shows political conflicts were addressed politically and restoratively.

¶ 04 However, individuals connected to the Tamil political struggle continue to be detained, often long-term under the PTA, with delays in indictments and trials, raising concerns about consistency, proportionality and equality before the law. Some have been imprisoned 15, 20, even 30 years. The NPP pledged in its Manifesto to address political prisoners.

¶ 05 Accordingly, I ask:

¶ 06 1. Will the Ministry of Justice and National Integration provide a list of those in prolonged detention, including under the PTA, with current case status? 2. What steps has the Attorney-General’s Department taken to expedite indictments and prosecutions in long-pending cases? 3. What measures are being implemented to reduce court delays in such cases? 4. Are any mechanisms in place to review prolonged detentions for fairness, proportionality and non-discrimination? 5. What role has the Ministry played in facilitating or recommending Presidential pardons for long-term or life sentences? 6. What concrete steps have been taken to implement the NPP Manifesto commitments on political prisoners?

¶ 07 Further, following Mullivaikkal Remembrance Week, I raise this at the first opportunity. Despite the loss of hundreds of thousands of Tamil lives and 17 years without justice, people continue to protest for justice while commemorations in the North and East and military celebrations in Colombo take place. Political prisoners should not be treated as ordinary criminals; when we earlier raised this, we were told there are no political prisoners in this country. The President must show compassion on this matter. We invited the President to open the Batticaloa Public Library to mobilize resources for its completion; Tamil people pay taxes and deserve services in return.