A Tamil political prisoner who is on hunger strike, protesting against his continued detention has been admitted to hospital after his health rapidly deteriorated.
S Thillairaj, one of eight Tamil political prisoners who have been on hunger strike at Anuradhapura prison and a known diabetic, was moved to Welikada Prison hospital. The group have been protesting since for at least five days and met with Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M A Sumanthiran earlier this week.
They are part of a number of Tamil political prisoners remain in prison for years without charge under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).