Police crackdown on Jaffna protest against President’s visit

• Protestors were calling on Govt. to provide answers on missing loved ones and return occupied land
• Tense situation arose when Police blocked the protest in the Nallur area 
• President met with various religious leaders during the visit and held brief discussions with them 

By Maneshka Borham 

The Police yesterday used water cannons against hundreds of people protesting in Jaffna against President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to the district to coincide with the Thai Pongal festival. The protest was organised by families of the forcibly disappeared and students of the University of Jaffna calling on the Government to return their loved ones and land occupied by the military as well as other Government agencies in the North.  They also called on the Government to release all Tamil political prisoners. The protestors carried placards calling on President Ranil Wickremesinghe to return their missing family members and not attempt to bribe the families instead. 

The Police had erected barricades at the Nallur Arasati Road-Vaiman Road intersection to obstruct protesters rallying against the President’s visit. A tense situation arose when the protesters tried to push past the barricades. The Police used water cannons in an attempt to break up the rally.

 However, protestors continued to protest at the location while shouting slogans against the President and demanding answers from the Government. Heavy police and military deployment were witnessed in the area. 

President Wickremesinghe met with a series of religious leaders and prominent figures during his visit to Jaffna yesterday. He first visited the Sri Naga Viharaya in the morning and met with its Chief Incumbent Meegahajandure Siriwimala Thera before engaging in religious observances. 

“President met Reverend Sri Somasundaram, Nallai Adeena Ashramadipati and received his blessings. He also visited the Bishop of #Jaffna, Most Reverend Dr. Justin Gnanapragasam and engaged in a brief discussion,” the President’s Media Division said. 

Wickremesinghe was accompanied by Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda, State Minister Dr. Suren Raghavan, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage and several other officials.