Sri Lanka Lawmakers: Free the Cuban Five

A group of 19 prominent Sri Lankan lawmakers asked U.S. President Barack Obama for an "immediate action" to release the five Cuban antiterrorist fighters unjustly held in that northern country since 1998.

In a letter to Obama, legislators stated that this would be a president's duty if the U.S. government is really engaged to fight terrorism."

To maintain the five Cuban compatriots in prison is not consistent, said the lawmakers, representing Sri Lanka's main political forces.

Among the signatories are Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Traditional Medicine Minister Salinda Dissanayake, Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne, Construction Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Minister of Water Dinesh Gunawardena, Telecommunication Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, and Minister of National Languages Vasudeva Nanajakara.

Also including are many deputy ministers, other senior government officials and leaders of political organizations, belonging to the ruling Alliance for Freedom of the People, such as the opposition.

To monitor activities by groups responsible for innumerable terrorist actions against Cuba made a Florida court imposed sentences to Gerardo Hernandez, Fernando Gonzalez, Ramon Labañino, Antonio Guerrero and René Gonzalez ranging from double life terms to 15 years.

Rene Gonzalez was released from prison early Friday after completing his unjust sentence, but he must serve a three-year term of supervised release in Miami. This measure puts his life at risk due to the anti-Cuban atmosphere prevailing in that U.S. territory. (Prensa Latina).

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