A Tamil youth was rushed to Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital in critical condition after his motorcycle collided with another vehicle at an army checkpoint on Mullaitivu Red Junction.
The roadblock-style checkpoints, on several roads in Mullaitivu were set up by the Sri Lankan army, to reportedly enforce coronavirus related lockdowns but have persisted for months afterwards without any explanation.
Locals have long complained of the inconvenience and danger caused by the checkpoints on busy intersections. Whilst the armed and masked soldiers constantly intimidate and harass Tamil commuters.
The continuation of these checkpoints has become a hallmark of Sri Lanka’s militarised occupation of the North-East, which has a massively disproportionate armed presence. Mullaitivu in particular remains on of the most militarised regions on the island, with studies reporting as many as one soldier for every two civilians in the district.
We need your support
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.
For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.
