Sri Lankan police officers reportedly attempted to disrupt a Maaveerar Naal – or Great Heroes’ Day – commemorations in Kilinochchi yesterday, with one officer accused by organisers of arriving at the site while intoxicated.
Video from the scene shows community organisers confronting police as they attempted to interfere with the remembrance event. One organiser can be heard directly accusing an officer of being drunk, stating that the police had no authority to halt the proceedings.
In footage captured at the event, one organiser tells the police in Tamil and Sinhala:
“Don’t drink (alcohol) and come and dance here. You can bring not only the district inspector general but you can also bring Anura Kumara Dissanyake here. What are you doing here? Who told you to move this? Go and tell them there is no problem here. Please send good police officers that don’t drink (alcohol).”
The incident took place as thousands across the Tamil homeland gathered to commemorate Maaveerar Naal, despite continued reports of intimidation and harassment by the Sri Lankan security forces.