Sri Lanka’s Terrorism Investigation Division has summoned Navarathnarasa Anjalidevi, a 60-year-old Tamil female social activist residing in Narayanapuram, Palathadichchenai, for an inquiry scheduled on December 4, 2024.
Reports indicate that officials from the investigation division visited her residence earlier today but, upon finding that she was not home, they had delivered the summons via WhatsApp. The repeated inclusion of Anjalidevi in investigative proceedings by the division has raised questions about the intent and implications of such actions.
Anjalidevi is a noted figure in community activism and has been actively involved in societal welfare initiatives. She previously served in the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), highlighting her dedication to human rights and social justice. This recent development comes amidst concerns about the challenges faced by Tamils engaged in activism.
This summons comes following recent Maaveerar Naal commemorations in the homeland. Last week, Sri Lankan police arrested a young Tamil father in Jaffna under draconian anti-terrorism laws, over a Facebook post. On Saturday, Sri Lankan Immigration officials also detained a 43-year-old British citizen for allegedly raising funds for the LTTE, despite having been in the United Kingdom since the organisation was militarily defeated. The individual, originally from Kilinochchi and now a British citizen, was arrested upon arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport
The arrest comes amidst continued concerns about the Sri Lankan government's use of anti-terrorism laws to target Tamils with little transparency. Though Sri Lanka’s newly elected president Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledged to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), the legislation continues to be deployed and the security forces continue to interrogate Tamils across the North-East.
