The Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena said on Sunday that 215 Tamils incarcerated would not be granted amnesty as there were "no political prisoners" in Sri Lanka.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr Sirisena acknowledged that there were widespread calls for the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to be repealed, however said, "when even powerful nations are grappling with problems arising out of terrorism... my government has to consider all factors before taking a decision.”
Since coming to power, Mr Sirisena has repeated calls for the PTA to be repealed and for Tamil political prisoners to be released.
Marking the new year, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) urged the president to make this a priority of 2016, along side the return of land occupied by the military.
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