Voice for the Voiceless organization meets Justice Minister Harsha Nanayakkara

02-Aug-2025

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The "Voice for the Voiceless" organization met with Justice Minister Harsha Nanayakkara to request the humanitarian release of Tamil political prisoners—similar to the general amnesty granted to members of the JVP.

Justice Minister Nanayakkara stated that although he may not have heard the voices with his ears, he is listening with his heart. He pledged to work within the legal framework to address the issue.

M. Gomagan, coordinator of the "Voice for the Voiceless," revealed this during a media briefing, highlighting that the meeting included representatives of the organization, families of imprisoned Tamil political prisoners, and the minister himself at the Colombo Justice Ministry.

Families of inmates who have been detained for 15 to 30 years shared their emotional, psychological, social, and financial struggles and pleaded for the early release of their loved ones.

The organization emphasized the need for a humanitarian resolution to the lingering issue of Tamil political prisoners—remnants of Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict. They cited past actions such as the Indo-Lanka accord, peace talks with the LTTE, the amnesty for JVP members, and the release of 12,000 ex-LTTE cadres post-war as precedents.

They also raised concerns about those arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Minister Nanayakkara responded that while the issue falls under the President’s authority, he would bring it to the President’s attention and ensure follow-up action. 

He stressed that this meeting was in line with a written appeal submitted in January 2025 to the President and Prime Minister.