In an interview to the BBC, military spokesman denied the allegation and said the families live in the camp willingly for their own protection.

In a letter, the MP, Anandan has requested President Mahinda Rajapakse to personally intervene to release the three hundred and eighty five Tamil people belonging to the 177 families immediately.

Some of these people, MP Anandan said, are those who have returned from India to settle in their own villages. Some fell into the hands of the security forces while trying to flee to India. Some are internally displaced people as a result of the war, he said.

These people are provided with food and lodging but are not allowed to go out from the camp, says the parliamentarian.

"This is a serious human right violation. I have asked the president to release these people from the detention camp and transfer them to a refugee camp", MP Anandan said.

Protection

Sri Lanka military Spokesman, Brigadier Udaya Nanyakkara denying the allegations said that these people are accommodated in a welfare camp at their own request.

He said they had escaped from the grip of the LTTE and come in boats paying large sums of money to seek the protection of the security forces.

They have come from Mullaitivu, Videthalatheevu, Killinochchi and Mannar North, Brigadier Nanayakkara said.

Special pass

These people have been given a special pass identifying themselves as those who had come from the unprotected areas, Brigadier Nanayakkara added.

He said that their movements have not been restricted and they are allowed to carry on with daily tasks but have requested them to be back in the camp in the evening.

"This arrangement has been done with their consent for their own security and protection. There is no forcible detention", he said.

Giving an example, Brigadier Nanayakkara said arrangement was made for two youth in the camp selected for the Jaffna University to proceed for their studies.