Kayts court imposes ban on Maaveerar Naal commemorations as crackdown intensifies in North-East

The Kayts Magistrate's Court has imposed a ban on observing Maaveerar Naal and other remembrance events in Jaffna from today until November 27.

An order was was issued by the court yesterday evening under the Covid-19 Isolation Act after Kayts police filed a case to ban any commemoration events. The police said they had received information that arrangements were being made to observe Maaveerar Naal in Velanani and Pungudutivu. 

This follows a series of court bans across the North-East prohibiting Tamil people from taking part in Maaveerar Naal commemorations. 

Read more here: Mannar court imposes ban on commemorating Maaveerar Naal as Sri Lankan police push for more bans across North-East districts 

Earlier this week, Sri Lanka's army commander and alleged war criminal, Shavendra Silva threatened that any efforts taken to commemorate Maaveerar Naal will result in legal action and forced quarantine. 

The Sri Lankan threats and intimidation come amidst an increase in repression since the ruling Rajapaksa regime came to power. Under the guise of coronavirus, Sri Lankan security forces have stepped up their attempts to stifle Tamil activism in the North-East. 

 

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