Sri Lanka has released two leading

Sri Lanka has released two leading rights activists after their detention under strict anti-terrorism laws triggered international criticism, police and supporters said on Wednesday.

Father Praveen Mahesan, a Catholic priest who heads the Peace and Reconciliation Centre in the war-torn Jaffna region, and Ruki Fernando of the Colombo-based INFORM advocacy group were detained on Sunday as they met relatives who lost loved ones during the Tamil separatist conflict.

Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said they were released after a court ruling late Tuesday. Rohana said further police investigations would continue.

Udaya Kalupathirana, the director of INFORM, said the pair had been released without charge.

The United States led international criticism of the arrests, saying they showed the need "for continued scrutiny" of Sri Lanka's rights record. AFP