CID interrogates Ponnampalam

[TamilNet, Thursday, 14 January 1999, 12:50 GMT]
Mr.Kumar Ponnambalam, the general secretary of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), is being interrogated at his residence by sleuths from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over allegations that he is a self proclaimed supporter of the Liberation Tigers.

Three officers from the CID began the interrogation around 3.50 p.m. this afternoon said Police sources in Colombo.

They added that the CID was looking into complaints from the public that Mr.Ponnambalam had openly stated during an interview with the private Sri Lankan TV channel Swarnavahini in November 1998 that he is a supporter of the Liberation Tigers.

The PA regime proscribed the Liberation Tigers early last year.

Under the provision of this draconian law supporting the Tigers could lead to confiscation of one's properties and jail term from seven to fourteen years at the sole discretion of the country's minister of defence.

No judicial review is permitted for the accused to argue his or her case.

The Police had earlier obtained tapes of the interview from the Swarnavahini to ascertain allegations that Mr.Ponnambalam had actually made the statements advocating the politics of the Liberation Tigers.

The Police sources said that the CID's interrogation of the ACTC leader could continue for many more hours.

No one, however, could be reached at Mr.Ponnambalam's residence at Queen's Road, a posh upper class neighbourhood near downtown Colombo.