President of the Families of the Disappeared (FOD), Yogarasa Kanakaranjini slammed those greeting Sri Lanka's President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, claiming that those who welcomed Rajapaksa with garlands were betraying Tamils.
Kanakaranjini urged the public to stand against the government that “waged a brutal war against the Tamil race” also stating that “the government is now in turmoil and all Tamils should stand in solidarity”.
In her press statement, she highlighted the abuse Tamil women and elderly mothers faced by Sri Lanka officials who verbal abused and physical beat them. She noted that both the FOD's Mullaitivu District Association leader and the Vavuniya District Chairman were admitted to hospital for injuries they sustained. The Vavuniya District chairperson was reportedly denied proper treatment and was sent home despite being unable to walk, raising concerns over collusion between government officials and hospital staff.
"Despite these struggles and threats, we carried forward our protest” she stressed.
Her statement further slammed the government for its failure to deliver accountability for those forcibly disappeared and for failing to deliver vital supplies to those in the North-East who continue to struggle in accessing basic goods. She maintained that protests would continue until the government is held to account.