The detention of Jaffna Tamil youth Vijayam Vimalendran for over three years was illegal the Court declared on 20 December and ordered Rs 25,000 compensation. Although Emergency regulations give wide powers to the security forces there must be adequate grounds for arrest. The Court says the Defence Secretary should have sufficient evidence before signing detention orders. Human rights agencies say safeguards in the law are being circum- scribed by authorities. In southern areas, including Colombo, suspects are generally detained for seven days under Emergency regulations and then under the PTA on the orders of a magistrate.
Agencies say such prolonged detentions are illegal.
There is a fear in Colombo that military death squads have returned.