Sri Lanka, Jan. 18 -- Kanagasabai Thevathasan is a 64-year-old prisoner I met while I was at the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka. Twelve years have passed since he was arrested, more than ten of which he has spent in prison. Thevathasan began fasting unto death on January 6, 2021, which he called off on January 16, for three weeks after promises were made by the prison authorities to speak with the relevant authorities to expedite his cases. Thevathasan is currently appealing his conviction under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), and is requesting his hearings be expedited and that he be granted bail.

His story is like that of hundreds arrested under the PTA since its enactment in 1979. According to him, he was abducted by men ...