The 68 Tamil detainees were transferred from New Magazine prison in Colombo to Boosa prison on Saturday.

The authorities have not informed the relatives of the detainees of the transfer and not allowed to meet them, Tamil National Alliance said.

Deputy Minister of Justice, Vadivel Puththirasigamoney told BBC Sinhala service on Tuesday that the detainees were transferred "for their own safety".

He said that he has also recieved information about incidents of assaults and intimidation to the detainees.

Deputy Minister Puththirasigamoney said that he had directed the Commissioner General of Prisons to investigate and report.

"I have also instructed to see that such things will not happen.", he said.

The minister said that relatives can "directly make complaints" to him so that inquiries on maltreatment can be investigated.

"They will be returned to Colombo in due time," added the Minister.