Palestinian Legislative Council Speaker Dr. Aziz Dwaik has appealed to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to intervene to get the Palestinian law makers released from Israel jails, the Sri Lanka External Affairs Ministry said.

The appeal was made when Dr. T. Jayasinghe, Representative for Sri Lanka in Palestine called on Dr. Dwaik and two other members of the Legislative Council in Palestine. A written appeal addressed to President Rajapaksa was handed over to Dr. Jayasinghe.

Dr. Aziz Dwaik also stated in detail the plight of some Legislative Council members who are in Israeli jails without any trial. Some of them are re- arrested with no concern for their diplomatic immunity. There are also three PLC members taking refuge at the Red Cross Society building in Jerusalem for the last two years. There are also 7000 odd Palestinians in Israeli jails.

Representative Dr. Jayasinghe while promising to forward the appeal to the President stated that Sri Lanka would prefer a firm reconciliation as divisions are hindering the Palestinian - Israeli peace process. He thanked Dr. Dwaik for expressing his support for a closer relationship between Sri Lanka and Palestine.

At the discussion the Speaker stated that he is happy to note  Sri Lanka eliminating terrorism from the island completely and congratulated President Rajapaksa for bringing peace to Sri Lanka. He also stated that Palestine is aware of the development projects that are being implemented successfully in Sri Lanka silencing many internal and external critics. He also stated that Palestinians are grateful to President Rajapaksa for fighting for the Palestinian cause during the last four decades as the leader of the Palestine solidarity movement in Sri Lanka, the ministry statement added.