TNA Parliamentarian released: Vows to serve his people in Vanni

Sathasivam Kanagaratnam - the Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarian has been released on 13th night, after being held in detention at the 4th Floor of the CID Headquarters of Sri Lanka police, since 21st May 2009.

On the 13th night, he was produced before the Vavuniyaa Magistrate Alex Raja, at his house and was released.

He thanked the Asian Tribune for consistently carrying on a campaign for his release and also thanked the Vanni TNA MPs Sivanathan Kisshor, Minister Abdul Rishad Bathiudeen and N. Srikantha the TNA MP for the Jaffna electorate.

Speaking to Asian Tribune, he said that he will be in Mallavi, Yogapuram today and on tomorrow, he will participate in a function, where 50 Land Master mini tractors and 50 sewing machines are to be given to the recently resettled IDPs.

When recalling his arrest and detention, he said he was with his people right to the very end and on 16th May he decided with the people to go over to the Government side.

He said he was with thousands of people who crossed over to the Government side on that day.

Kanagaratnam speaking to Asian Tribune said that he went to the Army camp in Mullaitivu and declared that he was a Member of Parliament. At the Army Camp in Mullaitivu, they recorded his statement and on 17th he was taken along with others to Omanathai. Even in Omanthai, after recording his statement he was allowed to go with others to Omanthai Vidyalayam at 5 AM on the 18th, and later on the same day, they were all taken to the welfare centre at the Chettikulam Menik Farm.

At the Menik farm he telephoned to the TNA parliamentarian Sivanathan Kisshor and informed that he was in the Menik Farm.

Following his telephone conversation to Kisshor, the CID personnel from Vavuniya met him at the Menik Farm on 21 May and took him to their office in Vavuniya. After a brief enquiry he was taken on the same day, to the 4th Floor, in Colombo.

Kanagaratnam said at the 4th Floor, MPs Kisshor and Srikantha has met him and assured that he will be released soon.

When asked about his future plans, he said that he will be with his people in Vanni and work for their welfare.

- Asian Tribune -