The Sri Lankan government has ended a raging controversy by releasing prominent politician Azath Salley.

Although the arrest came under criticism from opposition groups, the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa deserves praise for ordering his unconditional release.

His arrest under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) stirred controversy with human rights groups condemning the act as “political revenge” by the government.

It has been reported that Azath Salley had now been transferred to a private hospital in Colombo.

Salley was arrested on May 2 by Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for allegedly threatening national unity, through statements made to electronic and print media. The commotion created by Azath Salley’s detention and subsequent release highlights the uneasy calm prevailing in Sri Lanka even after the country’s brave security forces militarily defeated separatist terrorists in May 2009.

It is rather unfortunate that the government has backtracked on assurances made to the international community at the end of the war in 2009 to amicably settle all minority grievances. The time has come for all patriotic Sri Lankans to join hands and consolidate their efforts to prevail on the government to address minority grievances by way of constitutional amendments as soon as possible.

Regional neighbors such as India, Pakistan and China provided vital military support to Colombo to defeat terrorism. These countries must now persuade the government to reach a negotiated peaceful settlement to pestering national issues. — Rafeek H., Alkhobar