Tamils push back efforts to expand ‘Gotabaya naval base’ despite intimidation

Local Tamil protestors pushed back against efforts by the Sri Lankan military to acquire land for the Gotabaya naval base in Mullaitivu today, as the security forces intimidated and harassed demonstrators.

Officials from Sri Lanka’s land survey department and navy made a joint effort at seizing the land in Vattuvakal earlier today.

As word spread and locals gathered at the scene to stop the attempted land grab, Sri Lankan police officers pushed and dragged back the demonstrators, whilst navy and government officials began photographing the protesters in an attempt to intimidate them.

The intimidation and harassment of protestors is not new, having taken place for years in the Tamil homeland. Many Tamil activists continue to be surveilled and subjected to intimidation and even physical violence.