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Sri Lankan minister slams Jaffna protests and vows no commemoration of 'dead terrorists'

10 January 2021

Retired Rear Admiral and Minister of Public Security, Sarath Weerasekara has attacked Jaffna protesters claiming that no-one has a right to commemorate "dead terrorists".

Weerasekara has a record of attacking Tamil rights. Previously he had called for the banning of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and rallied against the Sri Lankan national anthem being sung in Tamil. In 2020, he pledged to strip the 13th Amendment of clauses that would be crucial to establishing local control and provincial councils. He has also said that NGOs and civil society activists should be charged with treason and sentenced to death.

Read more here: 'Ultra nationalist' Sarath Weerasekara appointed as new Minister of Public Security

This statement follows the on-going protests in Jaffna against the destruction of a Mullivaikal memorial established to commemorate the tens of thousands of Tamils slaughtered during the Sri Lankan military offensive.

Since the end of the armed conflict, the military has continued its heavy presence within the Tamil homeland and have actively threatened and intimidated those seeking to privately commemorate their loved ones in November.

During the protest, Sri Lanka’s Special Task Force patrolled the university prohibiting the peaceful demonstrators from entering the university.

Related Articles: 
27 November 2020 : 'Ultra nationalist' Sarath Weerasekara appointed as new Minister of Public Security
08 August 2020 : Retired Sri Lankan Admiral Weerasekara calls for the abolition of 19th amendment
10 April 2017 : We will sentence traitors to death when back in power - Retired Rear Admiral Weerasekara
11 September 2020 : Military-occupied land will ‘never’ be returned states Sri Lankan minister
16 August 2020 : Sri Lankan minister pledges to strip 13th Amendment
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