Lawyers say some suspects are detained for nearly 8 years without being charged

Senaka Perera, a counsel appearing for the "Sinhala Tigers" told Colombo magistrate court that his clients have been detained for nearly three years with no charges framed.

The magistrate ordered the Attorney General (AG) to file a report after the counsels informed the court that army personnel strip search the suspects when they enter the prison.

The 25 trade union activists and journalists were abducted in February 2007. They were later found in the custody of Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) of Sri Lanka police.

'CJ expresses concern'

21 of the "Sinhala Tigers" were consequently released without charge by the courts.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Asoka de Silva has earlier expressed serious concern over the continuous detention of suspects for long periods without being charged.

Senior counsel Kalyananda Thiranagama told BBC Sandeshaya that the CJ ordered the AG to file a report on those detained without being charged.

Hundreds of suspects are detained in remand custody without a proper trial sometimes for 7-8 years, he said.

"Sometimes the maximum punishment for their alleged offence is just one year," he said.

Mr Thiranagama also accused the police of falsely charging the suspects of keeping drugs or bombs, offences that cannot be bailed.