13 upcountry Tamils detained in Colombo under PTA

[TamilNet, Sunday, 09 November 2008, 13:16 GMT]
Thirteen upcountry Tamil youths arrested in cordon and search operations conducted by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Police with the help of masked men in several estates in Udapusselawa during the last week of October are still being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in Dam Police Station in Colombo

The youths were arrested on allegation that they were responsible for transporting relief materials to Batticaloa district after tsunami, worked in Batticaloa on construction works, civil sources said.

The relatives of the youths have complained to human rights organizations that police officers in Batticaloa have given false information of having links to terrorism.

The relatives also had complained that the detained youths have not been provided with basic facilities at the police station.