Gov’t denies harassing 53 female LTTE prisoners

The Government has denied harmfully treating 53 Tamil tiger rebels imprisoned by the State, a minister said yesterday.

The 53 former Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE) were kept at the Anuradhapura prison, about 209 km from Colombo, where it was reported that had undergone severe treatment by prison officials.  

“They were preparing to celebrate the birthday of LTTE leader V. Prabakaran. When the prison officials found out this they searched the 53 women and recovered 19 mobile phones. This was simply done as a security precaution,” Government Spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told the press holding out pictures of the allegedly seized items.   

However he admitted that they could have been harassed as part of the search but took the stance that it was necessary for security.

He stated that a report on the incident would be completed and released to the public later this month but did not elaborate on whom would be compiling the document.

Sri Lanka ended a brutal three decade war by defeating the LTTE and killing Prabakaran in May 2009. Over 11 000 former LTTE carders were also detained by the government but most of them were released after being rehabilitated.