Skeletal remains of two women have been discovered in a former Sri Lankan military High Security Zone in Jaffna.

The remains were discovered in Mulli, a village in Ariyalai, Jaffna, alongside a pair of sandals, womens’ clothing and stationery including pens and pencils – suggesting that at least one of the bodies belongs to a student.

A protest was held in Jaffna today calling for the immediate release of Tamil political prisoners.

Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe declared “there are no political prisoners in the country’s prisons,” as protests continue across the island.

Mr Rajapakshe, the government’s justice minister and minister of the Buddha Sasana, told reporters:

“The prisoners are ones who are held for aiding and abetting the activities of LTTE terrorists. They are not political prisoners.”

The Northern Provincial Council Minister for Rural Development P Deniswaran said that data collection had started in the Jaffna district to assess the needs of former LTTE cadres.

The data collection forms the first stage of a livelihood assistance programme for former Tamil militants, learns Tamil Guardian.

The NPC minister further data collection is expected to happen in Mannar, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu throughout this month said the NPC minister.

The news comes amidst several reports of on-going land appropriation and construction of Buddhist Stupas in the North-East.

A fast in support of Tamil political prisoners was held on Tuesday in front of Nallur temple in the Jaffna district.

The protest fast, organised by the Jaffna Tamil Youth Organisation, was attended by relatives of political prisoners, politicians, including TNA MP Saravanapavan, and NPC members, Sukirthan, Kajatheepan and Paramsothy and other members of the public.

Over 200 Tamil political detainee across the island started a hunger strike on Monday, demanding to be released.

Wigneswaran urges president to ensure fasting Tamil detainees are not harmed (12 October 2015)