Based on an appeal from the family of Velayudam Dayanidi (Daya Master) forwarded through the SLMM, the Government on Wednesday 12 July facilitated transportation of the LTTE Media Co-ordinator to a Colombo hospital for what was claimed to be urgent and essential medical treatment. The government agreed to the request unconditionally on humanitarian grounds. Daya Master returned to Kilinochchi safely after completing all necessary medical examinations on Saturday 15 July.

The Peace Secretariat also made a request through the SLMM for the release of Sub Inspector Bandujeeva Weerasinghe Bopitigoda, Police officer attached to the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) taken hostage by the LTTE in September 2005 when pursuing a British pedophile who had taken sanctuary in an area claimed to be under LTTE control. The request for the release of the Sub Inspector was made on humanitarian grounds as his wife was suffering psychologically as a result of her husband’s unfortunate situation. The request was supported by medical evidence provided by the Colombo North General Hospital. A moving appeal from his five year old daughter was also attached.

A pro-LTTE websites on Friday 14 July published a news item indicating the imminent release of Sub Inspector Bopitigoda, raising hopes in the Bopitigoda family. On Saturday, the SLMM officials stationed themselves at the Omanthai check point in anticipation of receiving the Police Officer, however Sub Inspector Bopitigoda was not released by the LTTE.

The LTTE knowing very well that the Bopitigoda family’s mental anguish, disseminated a falsehood creating expectations further exacerbating the trauma the family was enduring. The Bopitagoda family remains hopeful that their father and husband will still be released by the LTTE.