As Sri Lankans continue to protest against the Rajapaksa regime across the island and demand the President's resignation; Tamils in Mullaitivu and Trincomalee are to continue to demand the demilitarisation of their homeland.
Demonstrators in the North-East stressed the need to repeal Sri Lanka's draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act; the continued illegal land grabs by Sri Lanka's military; and the ongoing militarisation of the Tamil homeland. The protest was led by Mullaitivu council office members as well as previous provincial council member, Ravikiran.
Responding to the demonstrations, Sri Lanka's former human rights commissioner, Ambika Satuknanathan noted that these were "all historical demands made by the Tamils, which continue to date".
Protests in Trinco & Mullaitivu today.
— Ambika Satkunanathan (@ambikasat) April 7, 2022
The slogans read #RepealPTA, stop land take overs in the North & East, stop #militarisation of the North & East & we want dignity, equality & democracy.
All historical demands made by the Tamils, which continue to date. pic.twitter.com/PNF3wFtNrB
The protestors’ signs read “We want dignity, equality and democracy”, “Stop the PTA” and “Stop the illegal land grabs in the North-East".
When the Assistant Superintendent of Police in Trincomalee asked protesters for information on their “leader”, protestors stood in unity and stated that they were all leaders.
It has also been reported that in Mullaitivu, intel was collected about the organisers of the protest from the media. Local communities were also visited by Sri Lankan security agencies a day prior and were warned not to attend the protestors.