THREE PERSONS ARRESTED IN MANNAR FOR COMMEMORATING HEROES DAY

November 27, 2013 
Three persons who allegedly engaged in the commemoration of Heroes Day in Mannar have been arrested, the Police Media Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana stated.

The three suspects were arrested in the Murungan area in Mannar while legal action will be taken against them, police stated while adding that the law will be implemented strongly against all those who ignore the law on this matter.

Sources also allege that candles were lit in commemoration at the Jaffna University and Jaffna teaching hospital today at 6pm.

The Police Spokesman earlier stated that it was illegal to gather, protest or demonstrate in view of Heroes Day while legal action will be taken against such lawful activities.

However, TNA MP Suresh Premachandran claimed that the Heroes Day was not a commemoration of the LTTE but all those who perished in the war.

He said that no one can prevent loved ones from commemorating the dead while adding that even the United Nations recognizes a community’s right to erect memorials for figures they respect. He also questioned as to why the government was imposing restrictions on the Tamil people and not on the commemorations of the country’s assassinated Ministers and armed personnel.

Sources claim that despite the restrictions imposed by the law, several parties had held private commemoration ceremonies today.