Judge denied a political detainee sit Advanced Level (A/L)

by Harshi. C. Perera

(August 07, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) A detainee in Batticaloa who had got admission to sit the Advanced Level (A/L) examinations by the Examinations Department was refused permission to sit the exam by the Akaraitpattu judge as he was detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).The youth, A. Suhirthan, was arrested in April last year and had applied to sit for the examination this year but was today refused permission by the Court.

What has happened to our country? In this incident a detainee lost his right to education. He is not a prisoner. He is a detainee. What has happened to the presumsion of innocence? When Rajapakse our president was a prisoner at past got the opportunity to attend his mother's funeral. Now defeated presidential candidate and MP Sarath Fonseka and MP Palitha Thewarapperuma are being allowed to attend the parliament.

So why not Suhirthan ? He is a Sri Lankan citizen as Fonseka and Thewarapperuma. Is it difficult to accept equality before law ? Was it because he is a terrorist? Remember he is a detainee and has the right to presumsion of innocence until proved guilty. Was it because he is a Tamil? This is very hurting. Please remember this factor creates something which will be worse than 30 years old brutal war.

We have to be very critical on this injustice. We have to be honest and give voice to the voiceless. If we can't make the life of vulnerables better then it will be not a shame to get international support. If someone says this type of criticism as a way of calling to the international criminal court he or she will be a real clown.