He was speaking to the media after visiting Tamil prisoners refusing food and medicine at Magazine Prison.

Several international organizations have alleged the present regime too, was using the PTA to arrest and torture Tamil returnees.

Concessions

Northern governor Reginald Cooray hoped some of the fasting prisoners would be given concessions.

Fourteen detainees began a fast at Magazine prison on February 23 calling for the speeding up of court cases against them.

The governor said charges would be filed on March 09 (today) against the suspects .

The plight of the fasting prisoners would be brought up with the president and also the attorney general to grant them concessions, he added.

The detainees are only taking water and have been lying at mats on the floor for 15 days now, and there is a responsibility to save their lives in the name of humanity, he said, adding that lives needed not to be sacrificed during a time of reconciliation.

Earlier in the day, the citizens committees in the north staged a protest rally and procession in Vavuniya to demand freedom for Tamil prisoners.