The legal battle involving Mullaitivu Media Association President and Mullaitivu District Journalist Shanmugam Thavaseelan continues in Sri Lankan courts, with the next hearing scheduled for October this year. During today’s court session, the Sri Lankan naval officer who accused Thavaseelan of assault was cross-examined, but no verdict was reached, and the case was postponed.
Earlier this month, Sri Lankan police in Mankulam summoned Thavaseelan for interrogation, an indication that harassment of Tamil journalists by the security forces continues. On August 7, police officers visited Thavaseelan’s home when he was not present and handed the summons to his family, instructing him to report to the office of the Assistant Superintendent of Police at Mankulam Police Station to provide a statement for an investigation. Thavaseelan has faced harassment, intimidation, and violence on multiple occasions due to his work.
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 April 7, 2019, Thavaseelan was covering a rally held by Tamil families of the Disappeared in Mullaitivu. During the protest, an unidentified individual was seen filming and threatening the families of the disappeared and members of the press.
Thavaseelan intervened, questioning the individual about his identity and his reasons for recording the demonstration on his phone. Following this confrontation, the individual fled but was later apprehended by protesters, at which point he admitted to being a naval officer. Despite requests, Sri Lankan police did not arrive at the scene. Subsequently, the naval officer filed a complaint with the Sri Lankan police in Mullaitivu against Thavaseelan under false pretenses, leading to Thavaseelan's arrest. He was later released on bail after a public outcry.
Previously 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. Locals described the case against Thaavaseelan as “frivolous and devoid of merit and nothing but an act of vendetta”.
