Photographs @GGPonnambalam

Tamils took to the streets in Vavuniya this morning, protesting against the arrest and detention of disappearances campaigners Balendran Jeyakumari and her 13 year old daughter Vipoosika.

Families, distraught over the disappearance of their loved ones, lined the streets holding photographs of the missing and demanding that their fellow campaigners be released.

Ms. Jeyakumari and her daughter Vipoosika, came to prominence for their relentless campaigning over the disappearance of her husband and son, particularly during the British Prime Minister's visit to Jaffna.

Protest organisers, TNPF (Tamil National People's Front) reported Sri Lankan police had attempted to disrupt the protest. Party leader, Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, said government intelligence agents were actively "chasing away" Tamils from taking part in the protest.

Shortly before the protest was due to start, the TNPF Secretary, S. Kajendran received a phone call from an officer belonging to the Vavuniya division, demanding that the protest be cancelled or postponed. Stating that a 'counter protest' had been organised with an expected crowd of over 3000, the officer warned the police could not guarantee the safety of the Tamil protesters if there were "clashes".

Ms. Jeyakumari and Vipoosika were arrested on Thursday, after their house was was surrounded by hundreds of Sri Lankan police officers. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Ms. Jeyakumari is being held at Boosa camp. Vipoosika's whereabouts remain unknown.

"Through this arrest, the Sri Lankan Govt. is sending several messages to several target audiences," said Mr. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam to the Tamil Guardian.

"To the Tamils it's saying - protest at your own risk. I can come after you with impunity. To the International Community it's saying - you don't have the will to touch us. But even if you do, we have friends in all the right places, who will protect us. To the Sinhala nation it's saying - we will not wilt to any pressure. No matter what we will pursue to the end our sacred interests in making this a Sinhala Buddhist state and we will destroy all obstacles to achieving that."

He added,

"At a time when the world is scrutinising Sri Lanka at the UNHRC, and draft resolutions are being discussed, that the government is brazen enough to do this, shows how it views the current narrative at the UNHRC as impotent."

Tamils in Toronto and the UK will be holding similar protests later today.

Follow @TamilGuardian for live coverage.

See related articles:

BTF: Arrest of disappearances campaigner underscores need for strong UNHRC resolution (14 Mar 2014)

SL Foreign Minister dismisses concern over arrest of disappearances campaigner and daughter (14 Mar 2014)

TNA condemns arrest of Tamil activist, govt trying to 'send a message' says MP (14 Mar 2014)

‘This is a serious threat' warned detained Tamil campaigner in interview to C4 last month (14 Mar 2014)

Heavy military presence in Vanni (14 Mar 2014)

Detained Tamil campaigner held under PTA act by TDI (14 Mar 2014)

Tamils fearful after disappearances campaigner and daughter arrested by SL police (13 Mar 2014)

Tamil 'Disappearances' campaigner and 13y daughter held by Sri Lankan military (13 Mar 2014)

*Updated with correction to location.