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Police harass Tamils protesting against Sirisena's May Day rally in Batticaloa

Sri Lankan police officers attempted to stop families of the disappeared protesting today against the Sri Lankan president's May Day event in Batticaloa.

Continuing their protest undeterred, families condemned the government's failure to provide answers for the tens of thousands who remaing unaccounted for and criticised the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) as a mechanism of provide accountability. 

"We strongly condemn you and your party, who have not provided us justice or understood our suffering, for celebrating May Day in our district," the families said. 

The families were also critical of the celebration of May Day by the president, whilst families still experienced economic hardship. 

"While our household income earners [are] incarcerated, are you celebrating the Labour Day at our courtyards?" a banner read. 

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