LTTE releases Sub-Inspector

The LTTE yesterday released Sub Inspector Bandujeewa Bopitigoda after 10 months in detention. SI Bopitigoda arrived in Colombo yesterday afternoon along with his family who went to Kilinochchi to receive him.

The Sub Inspector was handed over to the ICRC by the LTTE Peace Secretariat Chief S. Pulithevan following a request made by the the out going Head of the Scandinavian truce monitors, Ulf Henriksson.

SI Bopitigoda, an officer attached to the National Child Protection Authority was taken into custody by the Tigers 10 months ago along with four other police personnel when they went to arrest a British paedophile in Mannar.

Four of them were later released by the LTTE. But SI Bopitigoda was kept as a 'bargain chip' for the release of three LTTE cadres held in government custody. The LTTE earlier hinted of his release as a reciprocal gesture for providing medical treatment to Daya Master in Colombo but, went back on the pledge.