Outrage over Sri Lanka’s failure to apprehend killers of Tamil youth

In a collective display of outrage, civil society organizations, trade unions, and concerned Tamil citizens took to the streets of Mallavi, demanding justice for the brutal murder of Anandarasa Jeevan, a 27-year-old Tamil resident of Yogapuram, Mullaitivu.

Jeevan's body was discovered in Vavunikulam on July 30, 2024, and a subsequent forensic report confirmed that he had been strangled to death. Despite several weeks passing since the tragic incident, no suspects have been apprehended, leading to growing frustration over the slow progress of the Sri Lankan police investigation.

In a collective display of outrage, civil society organizations, trade unions, and concerned Tamil citizens took to the streets of Mallavi, demanding justice for the brutal murder of Anandarasa Jeevan, a 27-year-old Tamil resident of Yogapuram, Mullaitivu.

Jeevan's body was discovered in Vavunikulam on July 30, 2024, and a subsequent forensic report confirmed that he had been strangled to death. Despite several weeks passing since the tragic incident, no suspects have been apprehended, leading to growing frustration over the slow progress of the Sri Lankan police investigation.

Large crowds of Tamils staged a protest march, confronting officers at the occupying Sri Lankan police station in Mallavi over their inaction. The demonstrators carried placards demanding swift justice for Jeevan, who had been preparing to migrate just days before he was murdered.

The protest ended at the police station, where the officer-in-charge claimed that efforts were underway to bring the perpetrators to justice. Additionally, a letter was handed to the officer, warning of a larger protest and boycotts if justice remained elusive.

The protest gained widespread support, with Members of Parliament Selvarajah Kajendran and Selvam Adaikalanathan, as well as former Member of Parliament Shanthi Sreeskandarasa, joining the demonstrators. Political figures, civil organizations, social activists, and members of the Tamil community united to demand accountability and prompt action from law enforcement.

Jeevan was reported missing on the night of July 29, 2024, after leaving Yogapuram for Pandyan Pond with a substantial sum of money. His disappearance shocked the community, and the discovery of his lifeless body intensified their grief and anger.

Mullaitivu Magistrate Court Judge S.H. Mahroos visited the crime scene and ordered that Jeevan's body be handed over to his grieving relatives after a thorough post-mortem examination. The Forensic Medical Officer’s report also confirmed that Jeevan had been strangled to death.