Sri Lanka arrests Tamils attempting to flee island

by Thusiyan
May 24, 2022

Sri Lanka’s Special Task Force has reportedly arrested as many as 21 Tamils last week, as they prepared to flee the island to seek asylum abroad.

The arrests took place in Batticaloa last week, with reports that the group were attempting to flee Sri Lanka via boat. Two boats were also sized in the operation, in which as many as 21 Tamils – including at last 4 women – were detained.

The arrests come as increasing numbers of Eelam Tamils look to flee Sri Lanka. Alongside a history of human rights violations and an ongoing military occupation of the North-East, an economic crisis on the island has drastically impacted on livelihoods.

 

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