COLOMBO (TIP): Under international pressure ahead of voting on a resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC, the authorities here have released two leading rights activists after their detention under antiterrorism laws.

Father Praveen Mahesan, a Catholic priest, and Ruki Fernando of the Colombo-based INFORM advocacy group were arrested on Sunday in the former LTTE stronghold of Kilinochchi in the north as they met Tamils who lost loved ones during the separatist conflict.

They were detained under Prevention of Terrorism Act for inciting communal disharmony and dissent. “They were produced last night before the lady magistrate at court No 2 in Hulfsdorp. She ordered their release,” police spokesman Ajith Rohana said on Wednesday.