AI makes fresh appeal on behalf of detained journalist

Amnesty International (AI) has made a fresh appeal on behalf of detained Sunday Times journalist J. S. Tissainayagam, urging the authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally unless he is to be charged with a recognisable criminal offence and remanded by an independent court.

AI has requested members of the public to appeal on behalf of Tissainayagam to President Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as the Justice Minister.

The AI statement noted that Tissainayagam was granted access to an eye specialist on May 9 and that the specialist had said his condition required monitoring and that he needed new glasses. He was granted access to his lawyer on May 14, for the first time since March 21. However, AI noted that Tissainayagam remained in detention with the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID), and that he was being held without charge.

He was due to appear in court on May 12, in compliance with Emergency Regulations that require that a detainee be brought before a court at least once a month. However, the court appearance was postponed and no reason was given for the postponement. The magistrate had reportedly said that Tissainayagam should be produced in court on May 14.

However, he was not brought to court that day. Consequently, the magistrate has reportedly ordered that Tissainayagam be produced in court on May 23.