Sri Lankan police have repeatedly targeted the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) over its initiatives to provide financial assistance to deprived communities in Mullaitivu.
(Photo Credit: Twitter - @TnpfOrg)
The party's leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, visited the Puthukkudiyiruppu Police Station on Tuesday (11th Feb 2020) to talk with the station’s executives to address the issue. There was growing unrest among party members following the harassment by police officers.
Gajen Ponnampalam stated that TNPF’s efforts to help the locals was being unnecessary maligned by police:
“We have been helping locals of the village of Mayilkunjan in the town of Puthukkudiyiruppu, Mullaitivu who have asked for our help. Most of the locals here have those migrated from the town of Manalaru (now the government colonised Sinhala settlement area Weli Oya) and are living in poverty.
Ever since we have been helping these locals, they have been harassed and vilified for accepting our support.
Recently we provided locals with Thai Pongal pots and 15 schoolchildren with bicycles but in both instances we have been subject of police investigations after they ‘allegedly’ received complaints over our gestures of support.”
He insisted that the constant police investigations was targeted to damage the rapport TNPF have established with locals;
“We believe these investigations are deliberately being made to halt our efforts in establishing a good relationship with locals and it is unfair to punish the locals for working with us and other parties.
After discussing the matter with the Puthukkudiyiruppu police officials, I have urged the investigations to stop. I have notified them that the Human Rights Commissions would be informed if this harassment continues,” he added.
