Relatives say it is unfair to detain junior LTTE members while offering perks to senior LTTE leaders

The Colombo magistrate has rejected a request by the police terrorist investigation division (TID) for a conditional release.

Police were ordered to send another 29 LTTE suspects to a rehabilitation centre for a period of one year.

The TID which brought 102 former LTTE combatants from Boossa detention camp requested the court to release them with conditions.

KV Thavarasa, the counsel appeared on behalf of the suspects, told BBC Sandeshaya that he objected to the request by the TID.

Protest in Welikada

"I pointed out that there is no provision for conditional release under emergency regulations. They should either be released on bail or released for good," he said.

I pointed out that there is no provision for conditional release under emergency regulations. They should either be released on bail or released for good KV Thavarasa, counsel for the suspects

The court has ordered those released to report to the local police, if they are planning to leave the country.

Nearly 11,000 LTTE suspects are still in the government custody, the authorities say.

Earlier, a Sri Lankan minister told journalists that the government would not be able to release LTTE suspects as many trained suicide cadres are among them.

Meanwhile, mothers of the detainees and civil society activists protested in front of Welikada prison demanding their release.

Mekala Shanmugam, one of the organisers told BBC Sandeshaya that it is unfair that the authorities are keeping junior rank LTTE cadres while offering ministerial portfolios to senior LTTE leaders.