A priest and human rights activist released after detention for terrorism.
March 19,2014::After three days of detention for terrorism, Fr. Praveen Maheshan,
aTamil priest, and Ruki Fernando, a Sri Lankan Catholic activist, were released on
Wednesday morning. The two had been arrested for "terrorism " on March 16 in Kilinochchi,
northern Sri Lanka. The Colombo magistrate Aluthkade ordered their release without
charges. However, police spokesman Ajith Rohana has announced that the investigation
which led to their arrests will continue. Contacted shortly after their release,
Ruki Fernando told AsiaNews that he truly believed only the prayers of numerous
friends and colleagues in Sri Lanka and around the world ,guaranteed their safety
and thanked God, who heard their prayers. Among the reasons the Ministry for
Defense gave for their arrest was "causing discomfort to the government and earning
money by sharing information with foreign countries". Source: AsiaNews