A Tamil youth was rushed to Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital in critical condition after his motorcycle collided with another vehicle at an army checkpoint on Mullaitivu Red Junction.
The roadblock-style checkpoints, on several roads in Mullaitivu were set up by the Sri Lankan army, to reportedly enforce coronavirus related lockdowns but have persisted for months afterwards without any explanation.
Locals have long complained of the inconvenience and danger caused by the checkpoints on busy intersections. Whilst the armed and masked soldiers constantly intimidate and harass Tamil commuters.
The continuation of these checkpoints has become a hallmark of Sri Lanka’s militarised occupation of the North-East, which has a massively disproportionate armed presence. Mullaitivu in particular remains on of the most militarised regions on the island, with studies reporting as many as one soldier for every two civilians in the district.
