Sri Lankan Jails ‘Hell’ for Females

By Ranmali Bandarage

Exterior wall of the Welikada Prison, Colombo. Credit:Ranmali Bandarage/IPS Buy this picture

COLOMBO, Jul 20, 2011 (IPS) - Monthly ‘visiting hours’ at the female ward of Sri Lanka’s notorious Welikada Prison are as traumatic for the inmates as they are for their family and friends. A tiny room, measuring 10 feet by seven feet, is divided in half by a mesh counter. On one side, mothers, fathers, children and relatives jostle for standing room. On the other the inmates, in white prison clothes, shout to be heard over the din.

This monthly ordeal is emblematic of the prison system itself – chaotic, overcrowded and inhumane.

"We are treated as far less than human," one of the female prisoners, speaking under strict condition of anonymity, told IPS.          MORE >>
==============================

Thamalini taken to TID

The CID informed Colombo Chief   Magistrate that the LTTE Vavuniya Political Wing Leader Thamalini, was taken to the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) from the prison in a lawful manner on the  orders of a Magistrate to investigate  into another inquiry conducted by the TID.

The CID made this disclosure in respect of the order made by Colombo Chief Magistrate Rashmi Singappuli on considering a complaint made by the suspect’s Attorney – at- law Majula Pathiraja on the last date of the case.

Counsel Pathiraja complained to the Magistrate that his client Subramaniam Sivagami alias Thamalini who was remanded  was taken away from the remand prison by the TID  on two occasions acting  unlawfully without any court order and thereafter she had been subjected for lengthy questioning.

The Prison authorities submitted the copy of the order to the Colombo Chief Magistrate for his perusal by which the authorities released Thamalini to TID for questioning.

Counsel Dusith Johndasan appearing with Manjula Pathiraja for the suspect submitted that their client had been kept in prison without framing any charges for a long period of time and requested the Magistrate to release her if no charges are framing against her.

Magistrate Rashmi Singappuli remanded Tamilini till August 1 and ordered the CID to file their report in court on that date.

It was revealed that the suspected after  passing G.C.E. Advanced Level had joined the LTTE on 27th May 1991. Upon receiving five months military training, she had been assigned to the LTTE Political Wing entrusting to educate Tamil Public and to organize recruits.

Having served in Kilinochchi, Kilali, and in Walikamam, she had participated in the LTTE attack on Pooneryn on 11th November 1993. Thereafter, she had been engaged in publishing the LTTE News Paper for Women “ Suvander Paraveihal ” from 1991 to 2000. During her involvement, with the LTTE she had attended Political Orientation Programs conducted by LTTE Theoretician. Anton Balasingham.

When the Women’s Division, leader died in a clash in Muhamalai Tamalini was made the Leader of that division. She had travelled to Switzerland and Norway in May 2003 to conduct orientation sessions for Tamil women in those countries. Back in Vanni, she had even run an Office in Kilinochchi and had been provided with a Pick up Vehicle for her use. (TFT) Read more...