Sri Lanka's Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) interrogated prominent Eelam author Theepachelvan from Kilinochchi, in connection with a book launch event deemed to promote the revival of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Theepachelvan, known for his poignant Tamil literary works, was involved in organising the launch of author N. Yogendranathan's book 'The River of Fire We Swam Across' on February 10th at the Kilinochchi Divisional Council community hall. As the chair of the Tamil National Arts and Literature Council, Theepachelvan played a key role in the event.
Following a summons, Theepachelvan reported to the TID office in Kilinochchi, where he underwent questioning for nearly three hours. The interrogation reportedly focused on the publication of the book, its content, and alleged LTTE revivalism.
Theepachelvan stated: "The [TID] questioned me today regarding the launch event for the novel by Eelam's veteran writer Na Yogendranathan. They also asked if the book was intended to revive the LTTE movement. They inquired why we held the launch, and I explained it was to honour Kilinochchi's senior writer Na Yogendranathan. The interrogation began at 11am and lasted over two hours."
Last week, former LTTE cadre and activist Selvanayagam Aravinthan was arrested by the TID over a Facebook post, with no charges or court date set. His son has pleaded for his father's release, who is reportedly being held in Colombo's Welikada Prison.
Similar incidents include the TID summoning a Tamil journalist from Mullaitivu for questioning at their Colombo headquarters. Earlier in March, another Tamil journalist and Chair of the Mullaitivu Press Club, Shanmugam Thavaseelan, was summoned to court over a 2019 complaint filed by a Sri Lankan navy officer, following Thavaseelan's report on a disappearances rally in Mullaitivu.
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