Mannar Bishop Rayappu Joseph visited Kalutara prison on 6 October. The following day, Lands minister Rajitha Senaratne and Hindu Culture minister T Maheswaran attempted to persuade the prisoners to end their fast. They refused and demanded to see Economic Reform minister Milinda Moragoda. The hunger strike was called off, after Mr Moragoda visited Kalutara on 9 October. Since his visit, some detainees have been released.
Ilayaperumal Vaddakachchi, who disappeared in 1989, during presence of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in north-east Sri Lanka, was found in Kalutara prison in October. The discovery followed an investigation by the Human Rights Commission. In some such cases death certificates have already been issued.
There is concern over government’s contradictory positions. Rehabilitation minister Jayalath Jayawardena assured on 14 October that PTA prisoners not yet charged would be released. But on 16 October, the Attorney General served indictment against Murugesu Velu, who was arrested in Batticaloa in December 2000. According to sources, Attorney General KC Kamalasabeysan has indicated that he will not be persuaded to take politically motivated decisions on release of detainees under the PTA.
On 16 October, the Supreme Court overturned the decision of the High Court sentencing N Theivendran to seven years imprisonment, which had been confirmed by the Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court said that the conviction was based only on a confession without any corroborating evidence.