Frontline Defenders condemned the “persecution and reprisals” by Sri Lankan authorities against Tamil protestors in Madhavanai and Mayilathamadu, Batticaloa, as they continue to demonstrate against land encroachment by Sinhalese settlers.
Earlier this month, as the Tamil livestock farmers attempted to march towards Chenkaldy Central College, where Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremasinghe was attending an event, protestors were stopped by Sri Lankan police and were brutally assaulted. Those assaulted by authorities included women, the families of the disappeared, and human rights defenders.
“The protest was also recorded by intelligence personnel, and the police riot squad, armed with water cannons, shields, and batons, was also present at the protest site,” added Frontline Defenders.
Read our recent coverage of the ongoing protest:
Sri Lankan police crack down on Tamil farmers protesting against land grabs in Batticaloa
Sri Lankan police block Amparai Tamil families of the disappeared from joining Batticaloa protest
Buddha statue installed in Batticaloa village as Tamil farmers protest
Read more of our coverage of the ongoing issue:
Tamil farmers in Batticaloa hospitalised after brutal assault and torture
Tamil farmers rally against land encroachment by Sinhala settlers in Batticaloa
Tamil farmers protest army occupation of grazing land in Batticaloa
The full statement by FLD can be read here.