(FMM/IFEX) – FMM expresses its grave concern about the 26 August 1998 arrest and detention of Mr. Thadshanamurthy Mathusoothanan, a well-known Tamil journalist and literary figure. He has been a regular columnist for “Saranihar”, the Tamil newspaper published by the Movement for Inter-racial Justice and Equality, and he is also editor of the Tamil bulletin […]
(FMM/IFEX) – FMM expresses its grave concern about the 26 August 1998 arrest
and detention of Mr. Thadshanamurthy Mathusoothanan, a well-known Tamil
journalist and literary figure. He has been a regular columnist for
“Saranihar”, the Tamil newspaper published by the Movement for Inter-racial
Justice and Equality, and he is also editor of the Tamil bulletin of the
“Vibhavi” (Centre for Alternative Culture).
According to FMM, the manner of Mathusoothanan’s arrest is in itself in
direct contravention of existing Presidential directives on the arrest of
persons. He was picked up by a person in civilian clothes and put into a
jeep at about 5:50 p.m. (local time) on the evening of 26 August, while he
was walking along Galle Road, Bambalapitiya, in the vicinity of the Holy
Family Convent. His friends and family were not informed of his arrest and
in fact it took almost 17 hours before he was finally traced to the
Peliyagoda Police Station. It has been reported that he has been detained
under the Emergency Regulations and a formal Detention Order issued in his
name.
Mathusoothanan is an asthma patient requiring regular medical attention and
is likely to suffer from aggravated asthma attacks due to the present
tensions he is undergoing.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
to ensure that he receives the medical attention and dietary requirements he
needs during his detention
access to Mathusoothanan
arrest and detention of persons and to act in compliance with Presidential
directives
Appeals To
Hon. Mangala Samaraweera
Minister of Media
levels of 18, West tower, World trade Centre,
Echelon Square,
Colombo 01, Sri LankaHon. G.L. Peries
Minister of Justice
Superior Courts Complex,
Colombo 12, Sri Lanka
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
