Frontline Defenders condemns 'persecution and reprisals' of Tamil protestors in Batticaloa

by Ephraim
Oct 25, 2023

Frontline Defenders condemned the “persecution and reprisals” by Sri Lankan authorities against Tamil protestors in Madhavanai and Mayilathamadu, Batticaloa, as they continue to demonstrate against land encroachment by Sinhalese settlers.

Earlier this month, as the Tamil livestock farmers attempted to march towards Chenkaldy Central College, where Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremasinghe was attending an event, protestors were stopped by Sri Lankan police and were brutally assaulted. Those assaulted by authorities included women, the families of the disappeared, and human rights defenders.

“The protest was also recorded by intelligence personnel, and the police riot squad, armed with water cannons, shields, and batons, was also present at the protest site,” added Frontline Defenders.

Read our recent coverage of the ongoing protest:

Sri Lankan police crack down on Tamil farmers protesting against land grabs in Batticaloa

Sri Lankan police block Amparai Tamil families of the disappeared from joining Batticaloa protest

Buddha statue installed in Batticaloa village as Tamil farmers protest

 

 

Read more of our coverage of the ongoing issue:

Tamil farmers in Batticaloa hospitalised after brutal assault and torture

Tamil farmers rally against land encroachment by Sinhala settlers in Batticaloa

Tamil farmers protest army occupation of grazing land in Batticaloa

The full statement by FLD can be read here.

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Amaran - Problematic propaganda

amaran

The genre of war epic makes its grand re-entry to Tamil cinema with director Rajkumar Periasamy’s sophomore feature film, ‘Amaran.’ As is often the case with this genre, one cannot help but feel the events of the ‘true story’ onscreen have been heavily modified for easy consumption.

 

 

 

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Official trailer for film below.

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un_spcial

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