Sri Lanka’s Terrorism Investigation Department (TID) arrested the leader of the ITAK youth wing over messages that he had reportedly sent to diaspora Tamils on Facebook.
Subramaniyam Sivakaran was detained under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act last week, before being released on bail.
Mr Sivakaran’s private Facebook messages with Tamils living outside of the island were reportedly cited by Sri Lankan police as why the youth leader was detained under anti-terrorism legislation.
It is not yet known how the Sri Lankan police gained access to Mr Sivakaran's Facebook account or the number of social media accounts the government is monitoring.
Initially, Sri Lankan police confirmed that the arrest was made as part of an investigation into the discovery of a cache of explosives, including an apparent suicide bomber vest, late last month.
Mr Sivakaran is being accused of being involved with other former LTTE cadres who have also been arrested around the incident.
See our earlier posts:
ITAK youth leader released on bail (28 Apr 2016)
ITAK youth leader Sivakaran arrested by TID (27 Apr 2016)
Sri Lanka must immediately release Sivakaran and other Tamils held under the PTA - PEARL (27 Apr 2016)