Arrest by military fails to halt landgrab protest in Kilinochchi
28 May 2014

A protest against landgrabs by the Sri Lankan military, organised by the Tamil National People’s Front and the All Ceylon Tamil Congress, concluded earlier today in Kilinochchi, despite the detention of the party’s regional coordinator last week by the Sri Lankan army. Protestors called for the release of Thangavel Jegatheeswaran, who was arrested after defying threats by army officials, who demanded that this demonstration be cancelled. The demonstration was organised to demand the return of land in the Northeast, acquired by the Sri Lankan military, to their rightful owners. A number of people gathered for the protest in Kilinochchi town, watched by Sri Lankan police and military officials. TNPF officials, including the president of the party Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam and General Secretary Kajendran Selvarajah were joined by TNA MPs Suresh Premachandran and Sritharan and NPC Councillor Shivajilingam at the protest.