Prisoner swap turns to sobs
By Shelani Perera
Families of the seven troops being held by the LTTE were happily planning to go on Friday to the Panagoda army camp from where they were to be taken to the north for the release of their loved ones after several years of separation.

But on Thursday night the good news turned bad again. Their hearts were broken when they were told that a legal snag would further delay the prisoner swap, whereby the LTTE was to release seven and the government 23.

Cabinet spokesman G. L. Peiris said on Friday that there was a legal snag over the withdrawal of indictments already filed against seven of the 23 LTTE suspects. He expressed confidence that matters could be sorted out and the swap could take place within ten days. Negotiations were on for four months.

In Jaffna also, there was disappointment for the families of the LTTE suspects, three of them female cadres. The families had gathered in Jaffna on Friday but were told they would have to wait longer. (See related story)

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