A hartal called across the Northern and Eastern Provinces today (18) by the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) and several other groups has been largely deemed unsuccessful, with government institutions, schools, and most services continuing as normal.

The protest was organised to demand justice for the recent death of a 32-year-old man in Mullaitivu, along with several other concerns. However, our correspondents reported that in much of the Northern Province, schools and government offices functioned without interruption.

Although a few trade associations expressed support, many others publicly distanced themselves from the call, resulting in uneven participation. In Batticaloa District, some disruption was observed as business establishments, markets, and private institutions in Tamil-majority areas — including Batticaloa town, Chenkaladi, Arayampathy, Valaichchenai, and Kokkadichcholai — remained closed. Shops in Muslim-majority areas, however, stayed open.

Transportation services across the provinces continued to operate as usual, limiting the impact of the hartal. Security was tightened in several towns with the deployment of military and police forces, but no major incidents were reported.

Although, the hartal was initially declared for the whole day, the ITAK later announced that it had decided to call off the hartal at 12 noon, citing what it described as positive responses from the authorities to their concerns and demands. The party said the hartal was successful.