A campaign has been launched in the North to collect signatures for a petition seeking the release of Tamil political prisoners who have been arrested and detained for extended periods under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and also former militants who have been rearrested and detained even after rehabilitation and socialisation.
The petition will be presented to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Regional correspondents reported that the signature campaign, which was launched in Vavuniya on 28 December, 2024, under the leadership of the militants’ welfare association, was carried out in Mannar on 30 December, 2024, Mullaitivu on 2 January, 2025, and in Kilinochchi on 3 January, 2025.
The association requests the government to take steps to repeal the PTA, which has been heavily criticised both domestically and internationally for its disproportionate enforcement against minority communities.
One of the organisers of the signature campaign who also serves as the Secretary of the Iranamadu Agriculture Federation, Muttu Sivamohan, alleged that although every government that came to power following the end of the war extended gestures of friendship before elections, they forgot to release political prisoners after coming to power.
“Around 15 years have passed since the end of the war. Every government during their formation talked about reconciliation, change, and moving forward with new ideas. During every election, they invite everyone to move forward together. However, after coming to power, they forget to release political prisoners who have been detained for over 20-25 years.”
He had further urged the current government to release political prisoners thus putting reconciliation into practice.
“The current government, which talks about and takes steps towards change, should pay attention to this matter. Many children are unable to see their parents. By releasing those who have been in detention for a long time, you should demonstrate your reconciliation and change allowing the Tamil people to live freely in the future.”
The National People’s Power leadership, including President Dissanayake, enthusiastically supported the public petition campaign, which was led by the Tamil National Alliance and was launched during the former government’s tenure seeking the repeal of the PTA.
Prior to the general election, they had stated that the task of amending the PTA would be entrusted to the parliament.
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