Former Jaffna University Students’ Union President M. Thivakaran and Secretary S. Babilaraj have been acquitted after being detained under Sri Lanka’s draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Former President M. Thivakaran and Secretary S. Babilaraj were arrested following a military raid of Jaffna University campus and residence hall which uncovered photos of Velupillai Prabhakaran and posters detailing the Tamil genocide in the Student Union. The Sri Lankan army immediately arrested Thivakaran and Babilaraj and handed them to Koppay police under the PTA. A hospitality worker was also arrested after a photo of Thileepan was found in the dining area. The charges were levied at the former student president and secretary in over 30 months ago and they were granted bail by the Jaffna High Court in 2019.
Jaffna university administrators reportedly invited the army raid, claiming concern over islamists after the Easter Sunday attacks.
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