The Sri Lankan military dismissed an online campaign protesting against military intimidation and harassment of Jaffna University staff and students over attempts to remember those killed at the end of the armed of conflict, rejecting reports of military interference at the university.
"There is a larger agenda here among some to get the Army out of Jaffna, which will not happen. The armed forces are there to protect national security which is a central government function," Military spokesperson, Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya, told the Nation.
“We’re not as petty-minded as they think we are,” Brig Wanigasooriya added, commenting on the campaign, which was launched on Twitter by the Tamil Youth Organisation worldwide to coincide with Jaffna university students staged a two-day strike in protest at death threats issued to staff and students warning against any attempts to hold Mullivaikkal remembrance events.
"There was nothing wrong with the campaign since the army had no intention of getting involved in the university’s activities. At any event, the army has no access to the university premises and has no deployments anywhere nearby. What happens within the university is the responsibility of campus authorities,” he was further quoted as saying.
See related article: Tamil nation remembers Mullivaikal massacre 5 years on, amidst military ban (18 May 2014)
"There is a larger agenda here among some to get the Army out of Jaffna, which will not happen. The armed forces are there to protect national security which is a central government function," Military spokesperson, Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya, told the Nation.
“We’re not as petty-minded as they think we are,” Brig Wanigasooriya added, commenting on the campaign, which was launched on Twitter by the Tamil Youth Organisation worldwide to coincide with Jaffna university students staged a two-day strike in protest at death threats issued to staff and students warning against any attempts to hold Mullivaikkal remembrance events.
"There was nothing wrong with the campaign since the army had no intention of getting involved in the university’s activities. At any event, the army has no access to the university premises and has no deployments anywhere nearby. What happens within the university is the responsibility of campus authorities,” he was further quoted as saying.
See related article: Tamil nation remembers Mullivaikal massacre 5 years on, amidst military ban (18 May 2014)