Another arrested women under PTA will be freed

(January, 31, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Susanthi Thambirasa, who has been arrested on the charge of being a LTTE suicide bomber, will be freed on tomorrow with consent from the Attorney General, State Counsel Gihan Gunatilake informed the Court of Appeal today morning (Jan. 31st), according to court sources.

The State Counsel was making submissions when Gowrie Shankar Thavarasa, the lawyer appearing on behalf of the accused, filed a habeas corpus, calling for the producing of her client before the court.

A resident of Ampara, Susanthi was arrested along with Parameswary , Freelance reporter to closed down weekly Mawbima news paper at Rama Krishna Road in Wellawatte on 23rd November 2006 , under the PTA by the TID.

Attorney J.C. Weliamuna, also making submissions on behalf of the accused, requested her release, pointing out that she had been detained for over a year without charges.

Justices Ranjith Silva and Sisira Arbrew heard the case.

At the time of her arrest, Susanthi was a relief announcer at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation and also worked at Sunera Foundation, an NGO.

Following the arrest of Susanthi and Parameswary - Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella and several other government leaders claimed the two of being LTTE suicide bombers.