A group of Tamils are set to welcome the Pottuvil to Polikandy (P2P) protesters near Nayarthu bridge, Mullaitivu, despite attempts by the Sri Lankan police to disrupt the rally.
Sri Lankan police arrived at the scene claiming that the rally could not go ahead due to coronavirus concerns. However, the group led by former Northern Provincial Council member Thurairasa Ravikaran, defied the orders and said they will welcome the protesters while observing social distancing measures.
On February 3, Tamils in the North-East started a mass protest, mobilising around demands for the United Nations and the international community to heed Tamil calls for justice and accountability. Demonstrators started the march from Pottuvil in Amparai and will continue until they reach Polikandy in Point Pedro.
Sri Lankan security forces have attempted to break up the rally at various points of the march by threatening protesters and obtaining injunctions against the protest but protesters have defied these moves and continued their demonstration.
The march was initially set to end on February 6 but has been extended to February 7 as the route has taken longer than planned due to disruptions.
