TNPF office ‘surrounded’ by Sri Lankan army

by Thusiyan
May 18, 2020

The head office of the Tamil National People's Front in Jaffna was “surrounded by a huge contingent of Sri Lanka Army, Police and intelligence personnel" as Tamil genocide commemoration events taking place across the North-East today.

The latest development, tweeted by the party's official account, comes as the Sri Lankan state attempted to crackdown on remembrance events.

"We can confirm everyone is out of the office now," said the party. "Sri Lanka military, police and intelligence have tried to overwhelm, intimidate and repress memorialization of the Tamil genocide at all possible locations," it added. 

At least two people from the party were arrested in Trincomalee earlier today as commemorations to mark eleven years since the massacres at Mullivaikkal were underway. Earlier this morning, a Jaffna magistrate lifted a coronavirus quarantine order against 11 TNPF activists, as the state attempted to halt commemorations.

Yesterday, a member of the TNPF, was threatened that the army will shoot her if she lights lamps to commemorate Tamil genocide day.

 

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