US Ambassador travels to Jaffna as Sri Lankan government cracks down on Mullivaikkal commemorations

by Rukshana
May 15, 2024

The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung is visiting Jaffna at a time when the Sri Lankan government has increased its crackdown on Mullivaikkal commemorations across the Tamil homeland.

“This week I’m back in Jaffna to listen to diverse perspectives from civil society, youth, local officials and religious leaders to explore avenues for continued U.S. collaboration and support for Sri Lankans in the Northern Province,” she tweeted. 

In Jaffna, Chung met with Tamil civil society representatives to discuss their efforts to advocate for good governance, respect for human rights, and accountability. "We also discussed the importance of freedom of assembly and peaceful gatherings in memory of loved ones. I reiterated the United States’ support for an inclusive Sri Lanka that fosters trust among diverse communities and encourages open spaces for dialogue that allows all voices to be heard."

A day prior to her visit to Jaffna, she and Assistant Secretary Donald Lu met with representatives from Samagi Jana Balawegaya and National People’s Power. She noted that the purpose of their meeting was to “learn about upcoming elections, their perspectives on Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, and their vision for the nation’s path forward.”

Chung’s visit to the Tamil homeland comes during times of intense crackdown by the Sri Lankan government. Four individuals including three Tamil women were arrested on Monday in Trincomalee for preparing and distributing Mullivaikkal kanji, a tradition practised in the North-East and the diaspora in recent years, in memory of the thousands of Tamils who were massacred at Mullivaikkal.

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