The National Forum of Tamil Culture launched a petition in Jaffna yesterday, demanding the arrest of former President and war criminal Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Rajapaksa is accused of overseeing the military offensive which saw the massacre of tens of thousands of Tamils in 2009. At the time, Rajapaksa was serving as defence secretary and oversaw the bombing of makeshift hospitals, widespsread sexual violence and the execution of surrendering Tamils.
S. Nishanthan, the coordinator of the National Forum of Tamil Culture said that signatures were being collected across the Jaffna district. Earlier this week, posters were put up across Jaffna also calling for his arrest.
Rajapaksa fled Sri Lanka last month after protesters stormed his residence demanding his resignation. He is currently residing in Singapore authorities have faced repeat calls to arrest and prosecute him for genocide and war crimes.
The International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) filed a criminal complaint to Singapore's Attorney General, seeking Rajapaksa's "immediate arrest" for committing war crimes. A group of 17 Tamil and human rights organisations from across the world, also issued a joint letter urging Singapore’s Attorney-General's Chambers to investigate and prosecute Rajapaksa for his involvement in international crimes during the culmination of the Tamil Genocide in 2009.
