After the fifth day, several detainees in Kalutara were admitted to the prison hospital. The hunger strike by the Tamils caused tension within the Kalutara prison. Press reports say that the authorities transferred 80 Sinhalese prisoners to another section, after a plot to attack the Tamils was discovered.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe said in mid-July that since the ceasefire agreement in February, action has been taken to release 40% of the Tamil detainees held under the PTA. He also assured that Defence minister Tilak Marapane would discuss the issue of releasing the other detainees with the Attorney General Kamalasabeysan.
In late July, the Colombo High Court released Tamil detainee Anton Jude, a resident of Mannar District. He had been arrested in May 1998 when he came to the capital for medical treatment. He had suffered brutal torture at the hands of the police Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) and as a result, lost his sight. The torture has been confirmed by the government Judicial Medical officer.
The removal of checkpoints in Colombo has made movement within the city easier for residents and visitors. Some cultural activities suspended because of the state of Emergency and restrictions on the freedom of movement have now resumed. The Hindu Adi Vel festival began on 22 July, after a period of eight years. The festival has been celebrated in Colombo since the 1840s.
The rule that required foreigners to obtain permits from the Defence Ministry to travel to the north was removed on 16 July. The decision was taken following a meeting between Prime Minister Wickremasinghe and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), a coalition of four Tamil parties. The rule particularly affected foreign Tamil citizens of Sri Lankan origin who had relatives in Jaffna or the Vanni.
Despite the ceasefire, many people continue attempts to leave the island. Three Pakistani and 148 Sri Lankan illegal immigrants travelling in a ship for several weeks to reach Italy were saved by Saudi Arabian authorities in the Red Sea, following an appeal by the captain for food and water. Three were admitted to hospital. Reports say all would be returned to their countries.
According to press reports, Interior minister John Amaratunge assured foreign envoys in Colombo in July that the Sri Lankan government will do everything within its power to prevent illegal emigration from the island. A Sri Lankan was sentenced to imprisonment by an Australian court in early August for involvement in attempting to smuggle 71 Sri Lankans into Australia.