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An unimaginable imprisonment

The Sri Lankans have clearly taken a leaf out of the book of other countries - think Israel and the USA as but two examples - in detaining people.

What the Government has done to the Tamils has been barbaric and inhumane - at the same time simply ignoring pleas from various countries and organisations to desist, show restraint and act according to international law.

The Guardian reports in "Quarter of a million Sri Lankans face two years in camps":

"Many of the quarter of a million people held in internment camps in Sri Lanka face up to two years behind razor wire, a government official said today.

Despite international concern over conditions inside the camps, the defence ministry spokesman, Lakshman Hulugalle, said Sri Lanka was not prepared to let the UN dictate terms over the length of time people could be held.

A UN spokesman, Gordon Weiss, said he was "shocked" at the revelation, which ran counter to previous government assurances.

"It was our understanding that the government was to return 80% of the people to their homes by the end of the year, or at least try to," said Weiss.

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