Arrested Sri Lanka police produced in Tamileelam Court

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 October 2005, 10:58 GMT]
Three members of the Sri Lanka Police arrested for tresspassing into Liberation Tigers held area in Mannar were produced at the Kilinochchhi district Tamileelam courts Tuesday morning, sources in Kilinochchi said.

Ms Ponniah Bavani, an Inspector attached to Tamileelam police told the District Judge Ms Sathana that investigations into the incident have not been conpleted and requested the Judge to grant additional time to complete the investigations.

"The officers are telling that they entered into the LTTE controlled area by mistake. It is difficult for us to accept this reasoning from members of the Sri Lanka security. According to section 59 of the Tamileelam Criminal code we can ask for detention up to 91 days. We have also obtained permission from the Tamileelam legislative group," Ms Bavani told the Judge.

Attorney S Velavar, who appeared for the arrested officers told the Judge that that the Tamileelam police has not yet submitted any reports to the Court regarding the arrest. Since the Sri Lanka officers have been kept in detention for than one month without any charges filed, the Court should release them on bail, the attorney told the Judge.

THe Judge after questioning the arrested officers in Judge's chamber directed the Tamileelam police to hold them in remand till 25 October. The Judge also ordered the Tamileelam police to submit a complete report on that date.