AI concerned about detained journalist’s health

Amnesty International (AI) has expressed concern over the state of health of journalist J. S. Tissainayagam, who has been held in the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) detention centre in Colombo since March 7. The organisation has called on the authorities to ensure that Tissainayagam, who is at risk of going blind, be allowed any specialist medical treatment he may require.

“Tissainayagam suffers from an eye condition that has required operations to re-attach his retinas,” AI said in a press statement. “High levels of stress, or exposure to extreme levels of light, could cause a recurrence of the condition, which may result in blindness. It is not known whether he has received the required specialist medical treatment for his condition.”

Calling the detention “arbitrary”, AI has also requested that the journalist be allowed a lawyer of his choice and that he be released immediately and unconditionally, unless he is to be charged with a recognisably criminal offence and remanded by an independent court.

A Supreme Court hearing on March 27 reportedly confirmed that no detention order was presented to Tissainayagam at the time he was arrested. However, the Chief Justice heard the case on March 31, following a court decision that the case be reviewed by the Chief Justice.

“The government then presented a detention order to the Chief Justice claiming that Tissainayagam is acting on behalf of the LTTE and can be held for up to 90 days from March 7,” the statement added.