As a special representative of His Excellency President Maithripala Sirisena, I was happy to be present at the Inauguration Ceremony of the newly elected President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and meet my friend the former President Mohamed Nasheed. What made it even more memorable was the opportunity I received to continue the negotiations that we had already commenced to secure the release of Mr. Lahiru Madushanka Manikkandura who has been held captive for three years in the high security Maafushi prison in the Maldives.
On October 23, 2015, the 27-year-old father of one Mr. Manikkandura was arrested and charged with plotting to assassinate the former Maldivian President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom. Mr. Manikkandura was detained in the Maldives without a trial date since September 2016 and his imprisonment was a concern for all Sri Lankans.
With insufficient credible or acceptable evidence to prove that Mr. Manikkandura had committed an offence and yet having been denied access to legal representation or a date for a fair trial for the past three years, the Government of Sri Lanka and Amnesty International have strongly expressed their belief that he is completely innocent.
Although unsuccessful, the Government had persistently tried to safeguard his fundamental freedoms. In fact, we never gave up in our collective efforts to seek justice for Mr. Manikkandura. We worked with the Former President Mohamed Nasheed every step of the way to secure his release. I have been continuously communicating with him and his positive involvement on our behalf has been constant.
I have been engaged with the Attorney General and the Home Ministry together with the High Commissioner to secure his release by following the due process. Today we are confident that the efforts of Former President Mohamed Nasheed will bear fruit and that this matter will be resolved at the earliest date.
Over the weekend, I visited Mr. Manikkandura at the high security Maafushi prison and spent time with him discussing the progress of his case.
As a representative of His Excellency President Maithripala Sirisena, I am optimistic that our discussions with the relevant authorities in the Maldives have been positive and will lead to the release of this young man. We are confident that Mr. Lahiru Madusanka Manikkandura will be released and soon reunited with his wife and young child. I hope to give you that good news soon.
