An association advocating for the rights of Tamil prisoners launched a signature collection campaign in the Northern region of Sri Lanka on Monday (30), aiming to pressure the government to release Tamil political prisoners. The campaign focuses on gathering support for the release of around 400 Tamil political prisoners, who have been incarcerated in various prisons for up to 15 years since the end of the civil war.
According to a spokesperson for the association, people can sign the petition at 29 designated locations across the Vavuniya, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, and Jaffna districts. The association’s goal is to gather 100,000 signatures to demonstrate widespread public support for the release of the prisoners.
The spokesperson also pointed out that despite promises made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Jaffna during the parliamentary election campaign, the government has not yet fulfilled its commitment to releasing the Tamil political prisoners. The President had previously assured the Tamil community that their grievances would be addressed promptly, but little progress has been made in addressing their concerns. The delay in the release of these prisoners has sparked frustration, and the association hopes that this campaign will renew pressure on the government to honor its promises.
The issue of Tamil political prisoners continues to be a significant point of contention within the Tamil community, and the movement has received support from people in the Northern provinces. Many view the release of these individuals as a necessary step toward reconciliation and healing the divisions that persist in the country after decades of conflict. The association remains optimistic that the campaign will help bring the issue back into focus and push the government to take action.
