Photograph courtesy of Virakesari
Ten people, including Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) MP Selvarajah Kajendren were arrested earlier today as they protested against the illegal construction of a Buddhist temple in Thaiyiddy, Jaffna.
Protesters were demanding the immediate removal of the Tissa Rajamaha Vihara which was built illegally and on occupied land. 12 acres of land surrounding the temple are owned by 14 farming families but are currently also occupied.
Palaly police forcibly removed Kajendren from the site and arrested him alongside nine other TNPF members and claimed that the protesters had gathered unlawfully infront of the temple and causing a disturbance.
While Kajendren was released on the spot by Palaly police, the other nine activists were taken into custody.
Kajendren has been a vocal critic of the ongoing Sinhalisation of the Tamil homeland and has been engaged in protests since the construction of the vihara began in Thaiyiddy.
In February 2023, Kajendren was also arrested for holding a black flag protest during the Sri Lankan President's visit to inaugurate the Jaffna Cultural Hall as a part of Sri Lanka's 75th Independence Day.
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