His request came after a Tamil returnee from Saudi Arabia was arrested on arrival at the Katunayake airport.

Ragupathi Kanakasuriyam, a father of one from Kokkadicholai, Batticaloa was taken into custody on April 22 by the TID.

Police in his area told the family that he was was being questioned on information given by state intelligence.

Relatives say this was the first time he was arrested although he had travelled between the two countries on several occasions previously.

MP Ariyanendiran asked as to how such arrests could be possible under good governance.

He said Tamils living abroad due to political reasons and former fighters employed in the Middle East should not return at this moment.

As the present government completes 100 days in office, more than 15 Tamils had been arrested at the airport upon their return from Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Australia and France.

Among them are deportees whose political asylum applications had been rejected, jdslanka.org reports.