Tissainayagam Released After 22 Months

Journalist J.S. Tissainayagam was released from prison this morning after being granted bail on medical reasons by the Appeal Court on Monday. He was released on a Rs. 50,000 cash bail pending a verdict from the Appeal Court. Before his release Tissainayagam had been imprisoned for 22 months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Tissainayagam was arrested by the Terrorism Investigation Department (TID) on March 7, 2008. He was held without charges for six months, then accused of inciting communal disharmony by publishing two articles in the North Eastern Monthly in 2006. The articles criticized the Sri Lankan government of indiscriminately bombing civilians and restricting aid to war refugees. On September 1, 2009, Tissainayagam was sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment. He has appealed his conviction.