Minister Mano Ganesan visited the ex-LTTE cadres who began a hunger strike on Monday (12) at the Magazine Prison. He said a discussion would be held after a committee meeting on the 20th, regarding the strike.

“I asked the prisoners to end their hunger strike. I didn’t go to the prison to force them to stop. I only suggested it. It is up to them to decide,” the minister said.

“I have protested in front of the prison calling for justice for the people. My ideas are still the same. Now I have the power and I can do something for them,” he said.

This is the first time we can speak freely about our problems in the Cabinet. We couldn’t bring up any question in the Cabinet of the previous government, he said.

“I spoke to our Yahapalana President and to the Yahapalana Prime Minister this morning; they listened intently to me and discussed matters with me. This is the difference with the new government,” he said.

He said five prisoners who were on hunger strike had been hospitalised today. (Chaturanga Pradeep and Indika Sri Aravinda)