Tamil political prisoner launches hunger-strike at Anuradhapura prison

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 11 April 2018, 23:20 GMT]
A 36-year-old Tamil Political Prisoner from Chu'n'naakam in Jaffna, languishing in the SL prison in Anuradhapura in the North Central Province, is on a hunger strike since Wednesday morning. The hunger strike comes as the Sinhala prison officials refused medical treatment to Thavarooban Rasapallavan, who is suffering from a stomach ulcer. The hunger-striking Tamil political prisoner demands immediate medical treatment and to transfer him back to the cell with fellow political prisoners.

Mr Thavarooban was earlier allowed by the courts for monthly medical treatment at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

However, Sinhala prison officials have appealed to Anuradhapura courts and stopped the monthly medical treatment at Jaffna Hospital.

Following a false accusation that he was planning to escape during the routine medical treatment in Jaffna, the victim has also been transferred to solitary confinement.

The SL Terrorist Investigation Division has filed a false case against Thavarooban accusing him of assisting the LTTE to carry out ‘Operation Ellaa'lan’ on Anuradhapura naval base in 2007.

Fellow prisoners of war and political prisoners said they are also planning to protest in support of the demands of Mr Thavarooban.

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