AG directed to expedite inquiry in PTA, ER cases

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 September 2007, 03:16 GMT]
Chief Justice of Sri Lanka Supreme Court, Mr.Sarath N.Silva, Tuesday directed the Attorney General (AG) to expedite inquiries on Tamil suspects detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and Emergency Regulations (ER), and to release them immediately if there is no evidence against them. Mr. Silva made this order during the inquiry into the Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed by seven Tamil suspects currently being detained in Boosa detention camp, legal sources said.

FR petitions stated that petitioners are being detained in Boosa detention camp and other police stations without inquiry for several months. The petitioners sought release immediately.

Petitioners have cited the Defence Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Attorney General and respective law enforcement officers as respondents, legal sources said.

The Chief Justice further directed the law enforcement authorities to release all Tamil suspects arrested in north and east provinces under the PTA and found to be innocent after inquiry.

The detainees should be released through respective courts in their home stations to ensure their security, and not release

The Chief Justice made the above directive following representations made by lawyers that lives of those released in Colombo are threatened, legal sources said.