Sri Lankan police have filed a false report at the Vavuniya Magistrate Court, alleging that activists associated with the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) intimidated and attacked the police. This incident is related to the memorial float organised by the TNPF to commemorate the death of Thiyagi Thileepan, which began its journey around the North-East on September 15th, the 36th anniversary of Thileepan's fast.
On September 17th, when the memorial float reached Trincomalee, it was attacked by Sinhala mobs, resulting in several injuries, including MP Selvaraja Gajendran. Despite the clear evidence of the attack on the memorial float and its participants, the police filed a report with false allegations that TNPF activists had issued threats and intimidated the police.
After the alleged suspects were ordered to be released on bail following a court hearing, the attorney-at-law who represented them, Kanagarathnam Suhas, spoke to the media. He expressed grave concern about the authoritarianism displayed by state machinery, particularly the police, and how it has exceeded all limits. He highlighted that judges are receiving death threats, and activists exercising their democratic rights are being arrested under clearly false charges.
The attorney emphasised the need for transnational organisations like the United Nations to take measures to hold Sri Lanka accountable for these actions, as they represent a significant violation of democratic principles and human rights.
