"Grant amnesty" for political prisoners

Relatives of war affected called upon the government to grant an amnesty for political prisoners.

The request was made from the government following a public meeting held in Colombo organised by the Civil Monitoring Committee (CMC).

The Sri Lankan government says that nearly 10,000 suspected Tamil Tigers are held in detention.

CMC convener, Parliamentarian Mano Ganeshan recalled that senior Tamil Tigers George Master and Daya Master has already been released on bail.

"If they can be released why are students been detained?" asked MP Ganeshan.

LTTE media co-ordinator, Velayudam Dayanidhi widely known as Daya Master and translator, Kumar Pancharatnam known as George Master surrendered to Sri Lanka military in Puthumathalan in April.

Many Tamils attended the meeting carrying photographs of their relatives who have dissapeared in the war.

Addressing the meeting Sri Lanka freedom Party Mahajana wing leader said that over 10,000 have disappeared from war refugee camps in Vavunia.

"Thirty to fourty disappear daily," said Mangala Samaraweera MP, quoting a high ranking official.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe told the gathering that he does not see fault of informing the international community of human rights abuses in Sri Lanka.

"It was Mahinda Rajapaksa who initiated the practice of crying out to the world," added the opposition leader.

© BBC Sinhala