British Tamils staged a demonstration outside the Sri Lankan High Commission in London this month, condemning ongoing repression in Sri Lanka and demanding the immediate repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
The protest was organised in response the Sri Lankan state’s continued oppression of the Tamil people, and comes amidst the ongoing arbitrary arrests and the targeting of those engaged in peaceful political activity. Last month’s arrest of Velan Swamigal and others who had participated in a non-violent, democratic protest at Thaiyiddy for example, is one such incident protestors cited as drawn widespread concern among Tamil civil society groups.
Protesters gathered in front of the High Commission holding placards and chanting slogans calling for an end to arrests under the PTA, which has long been used by the Sri Lankan state as a tool of repression against Tamils. Demonstrators stressed that the legislation continues to enable prolonged detention without charge, intimidation of activists, and the criminalisation of dissent, despite repeated international calls for its repeal.
Those assembled emphasised that arrests carried out under the PTA form part of a broader pattern of state repression that has persisted even after the end of the armed conflict. They also warned that the newly proposed “Protection of the State from Terrorism” mirrors the act before it.
By staging the protest in London, organisers said they aimed to draw international attention to the situation and urged the international community, including the United Kingdom, to exert pressure on Colombo to end the targeting of Tamil activists.
