Tamil political detainees at Kalutara prison called off their fast after the Commissioner General of Prisons, Upali Samaraweera, took steps to redress their grievances on humanitarian grounds, a spokesperson for the Prisons Department said yesterday.

The detainees commenced their fast last week demanding better and cleaner food, welfare facilities and dormitories, complaining that the roof was leaking and that unwashed rice was being served.

They also complained that they had been deprived of the facility of listening to the radio during the day and that the jasmine tree from which they picked flowers for prayers had been uprooted.

Samaraweera, who is also a human rights activist had spoken to the Superintendent of Prisons at Kalutara and requested him to provide electricity so that the detainees can listen to the radio. About the jasmine tree, the Superintendent had said that it could be used to conceal weapons. The Buildings Section had also been instructed to repair the roof. (FRS)