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The legal battle involving Mullaitivu Media Association President and Mullaitivu District Journalist Shanmugam Tavaseelan has continued in Sri Lankan courts, with the naval officer who accused Thavaseelan of assault finally appearing in court.
This court case, which has been ongoing for several months, centers around dubious allegations made by the Sri Lankan naval intelligence officer from the Gotabaya Naval Base in Mullaitivu.
On 7 April 2019, Thaavaseelan was covering a rally held by the Tamil families of the disappeared in Mullaitivu. During the protest, an unidentified individual was filmed and threatened the families of the disappeared and members of the press.
The families of the disappeared have continued to protest and demand an account for their loved ones, many of whom were last seen in military custody during the final stages of the armed conflict. In the last six years of demonstrations, over 160 demonstrators have died without knowing the fate of their loved ones.
Thaavaseelan intervened to question the individual on his identity and why he was filming the demonstration on his phone. After this questioning the individual fled and was later apprehended by protesters, upon which he admitted he was a naval officer.
Sri Lankan police did not arrive at the scene despite requests to come. The naval office subsequently filed a case with the Sri Lankan Police in Mullaitivu against Thaavaseelan under false pretenses which led to his arrest. Thaavaseelan was later released on bail after public outcry.
The case has seen multiple hearings, with the naval officer failing to appear. Despite summons, the officer remained absent, leading to a warrant for both the officer and his witness. However, during the hearing today, the officer testified in court and was also cross-examined. The case has been adjourned to August 29, 2024, for further examination.
Locals described the case against Thaavaseelan as “frivolous and devoid of merit and nothing but an act of vendetta”.
