He also said that if there is information relating to new secret detention centres, keep the government informed about them so that an independent investigation could be initiated.
Minister Samaraweera made this observation in response to a special statement made by Douglas Devananda under standing order 23 (2) on Wednesday.
"The government is taking the matter of Tamil detainees seriously," the minister said adding that President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe would look into ways and means of granting an amnesty to them.
He also said that as mentioned by Devananda, there are instances in the past when detainees were pardoned by respective governments in 1970s and late 80s. Devananda also was one of them, he said. The minister also said that the President and the Prime Minister are already discussing the matter.
Samaraweera said that out of 48 detainees who were arrested under Prevention of Terrorism Act, 39 have already been bailed out. He noted that 48 were convicted and already serving their sentences. There are another 118 in remand custody and their cases are pending. There are three who have been filed cases against and added that there is one who needs to be sent for rehabilitation.
The minister said that the UN team visited the country following an invitation from the previous government in 2013 and they visited the Trincomalee Navy Camp.
Samaraweera further said former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had informed in writing to then External Affairs Ministry that he had no issue about such team visiting Sri Lanka. Based on it the UN team visited the country. He said the government informed that there was nothing to hide from them. The minister also said they were allowed to visit the Navy Camp in Trincomalee to prove that there is no secret camps in the area.
He also said that the visiting UN team had alleged that the families of disappeared have complained to them that they have been subjected to harassment by the police. He said the government had informed the UN team to name the policemen involved in the harassment issue. The government said it wouldn't condone them and would punish the offenders.
"We know the attempt taken by our security forces to create a peaceful environment for us to live without any fear", the minister said. "It is the government's responsibility get them rid of the allegations leveled against them".
He said the UN team had thanked the government and added that by these moves the victims, their families and international community would build up confidence on our security forces.
"If there are allegations against previous government or the military, best would be to investigate those allegations thoroughly and prove their innocence," the Foreign Minister said.
The land issues in the North are also being looked into and as part of the moves to release those lands held by the military, a Cabinet paper will be presented. It was to release 6,000 acres of land and hand them back to the rightful owners.The government has already released 47,000 acres of lands to their rightful owners,Minister Samaraweera added.
