A hartal is being staged across the Northern and Eastern Provinces today (18), demanding justice over the recent death of a youth in Mullaitivu.
The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) announced the protest, following allegations that a group of individuals who entered the Oddusuddan Army camp in Mullaitivu had been assaulted by soldiers. Soon after, the body of another youth was discovered in a nearby tank, sparking accusations against the military.
Police stated that two special teams are investigating the incident, and three army personnel have already been arrested and remanded in connection with the case.
Parliamentarian Shanakiyan Rasamanickam said the hartal was organised in protest against the youth’s death, with support also expressed by the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC).
However, addressing a media briefing yesterday, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa urged the public not to be misled by what he described as distortions and false propaganda aimed at discrediting the government and the security forces. He alleged that certain political groups were attempting to exploit the incident by spreading misinformation to create unrest among the people of the North and East, and called on the public to act with understanding and remain peaceful.
