Tamil civilian released after 14 months' detention

[TamilNet, Monday, 01 September 2008, 15:40 GMT]
Jaffna born Tharmalingam Pushparajah, a resident of Negombo in the western province for several years was released by the Colombo Magistrate Court Friday after 14 months' detention in Welikada prison under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) without any evidence to implicate him with any 'terrorist activity', legal sources in Colombo said.

The released civilian, a father of three, had been working as a laborer in a bakery in Negombo when he was arrested by the Negombo Police from his residence on 3 July 2007 following a complaint by his Sinhalese neighbor. He was then sent to Boosa detention camp. Later he was brought to PTA unit in Colombo on 27 July 2007 and sent to Welikada prison for further detention.

Last Friday, he was produced in Colombo Magistrate's Court. The Magistrate discharged him when the police informed court that he could be exonerated from the case as there was no evidence against him.