Tamil journalist Shanmugam Thavaseelan was on his way to cover commemoration events when he was stopped and harassed by Sri Lankan police and military officers yesterday.
This incident took place on Monday, May 16, ahead of Tamil Genocide Day commemorations.
Shanmugam Thavaseelan, a #Tamil journalist who visited #Mullivaikkal memorial site to report on #Tamil #Genocide Day preparations, was stopped & harassed by members of #SriLanka’s police & army on Monday (16). #TamilGenocide pic.twitter.com/B01pyuWorK
— JDS (@JDSLanka) May 17, 2022
The Sri Lankan state has consistently disrupted Tamil remembrance events with increased surveillance, intimidation, and violence. Even as the volatility in the South of the island continues, the Sri Lankan military seems focussed on silencing Tamil commemorations in the North-East.