CJ Asoka de Silva (UN photo)
CJ says that it is ‘inappropriate’ to continuously detain the LTTE suspects
The Supreme Court in Sri Lanka has ordered the authorities to file charges or release the Tamil Tiger suspects in custody.

Chief Justice (CJ) Asoka de Silva ordered the Attorney General (AG) to take a policy decision on the matter after discussing with the secretary to the justice ministry and create a mechanism to implement it.

CJ de Silva made clear that the judiciary is not seeking the release of all LTTE suspects.

The Supreme Court made the order after considering a fundamental rights (FR) petition filed by JA Francis, who says he is being detained for over one and half years.

The CJ observed that a lot of serious issues were raised in prisons as a result of continuing detention of LTTE suspects in custody.

It is not clear what he meant by ‘serious issues’.

It is inappropriate to continuously detain the LTTE suspects, he told the open court, and ordered the AG to release them on bail if investigations are completed.

The government has admitted that nearly 10,000 cadres were arrested and detained at the last stages of the war.

It is also estimated that nearly 2000 suspected LTTE members were detained before the fighting intensified.

The hearing has been postponed until 08 September.