Sri Lanka sees ‘terrorism’ in flags and candles – 7 Tamils held under PTA

by Thusiyan
Nov 30, 2023

A photograph of the offending items.

Sri Lanka has arrested and detained at least 7 Tamils under the notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), as part of a crackdown against Maaveerar Naal remembrance events this week.

The arrests, which came mainly in the East, were carried out as Tamils carried red and yellow flags or speakers, to take to Maaveerar Naal commemorations, which remember those who died fighting for the liberation of Tamil Eelam.

Others were arrested for hiring out vehicles or power generators, or at commemorations themselves which were stormed by Sri Lankan security officers.

Read more: Sri Lankan riot police storm Maaveerar Naal commemorations in Batticaloa, four Tamils arrested

Amongst those detained is a Batticaloa district organiser for the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF).

The PTA has been used for decades against Tamils to arbitrarily arrest and detain people, violate fair trial rights, and put detainees at risk of torture. The arrests under the draconian act continue, despite Sri Lanka’s pledge to replace it. Tamils and human rights organisations around the world have demanded it be repealed altogether.

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