Kanesalingam Sinthujan, a 35-year-old political and social activist from Thampalakamam in Trincomalee, has been issued a summons by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) on 14 July 2025, ordering him to appear for interrogation the following day.
The summons relates to a 2023 commemorative procession held in honour of Thiyagi Thileepan, a senior LTTE political leader who died on hunger strike in 1987. The event, organised in Trincomalee, was violently disrupted by a Sinhala mob at Sardhapuram as the procession made its way through the town. Sinthujan, who was among those affected by the attack, is now being questioned by authorities. He had also contested the most recent parliamentary elections as a candidate of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF).
The incident in 2023 drew widespread condemnation, particularly over the state’s failure to prosecute the perpetrators. Video footage showed assailants tearing down banners and attacking a vehicle bearing the image of Thileepan, with reports indicating that no effective legal action was taken.
Despite public outrage and calls for justice from Tamil politicians and rights groups, those responsible were never held accountable.
The aftermath of the 2023 attack.
