Holiday Card Action 2008

SRI LANKA – Vettivel and Valarmathi Jasikaran

Vettivel Jasikaran, a Sri Lankan writer and publisher, and his wife, Valarmathi Jasikaran, were arbitrarily detained without charge by the Sri Lankan Police in Colombo on March 6, 2008. They were brought before a Magistrates' Court on June 30, at which time their detention was extended for another three months, and were subsequently indicted for "aiding and abetting" a journalist colleague whose only alleged offense is publishing articles critical of the government. Prior to indictment, their detention was imposed pursuant to the Emergency Regulations, which have been used to silence critical journalists and generally suppress freedom of expression in Sri Lanka. Under the Emergency Regulations, police can hold people for up to 90 days, after which time they must be sent to prison or released.

Vettivel Jasikaran stated in court that he had been tortured by the police, and he was reportedly tortured again by them after he made that statement. Valarmathi Jasikaran had undergone a stomach operation some months prior to her arrest but reportedly was suffering complications just before she was arrested. She is thought to have seen a doctor only once while in custody, and she is not receiving the medical attention her condition requires.

Amnesty International calls on the Sri Lankan government to provide Vettivel and Valarmathi Jasikaran with a fair, prompt and public trial in accordance with international standards and with appropriate medical care while they are in detention.

Please send cards of support to:

Vettivel Jasikaran and Valarmathi Jasikaran
c/o Mr. K.V. Thavarasha, Attorney-at-Law
34/39 Law Office Complex
St. Sebastian Hill
Hulftsdorp
Colombo 12
SRI LANKA