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TNA shocked and saddened by suicide, urges calm

Expressing shock and sadness at the news of a Jaffna student committing suicide in protest over the ongoing detention of Tamil political prisoners in Sri Lanka, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) urged calm.

"We are very shocked and saddened by the suicide of of the 18 year old student, Rajeswaran Senthuran," the leader of the TNA, R Sampanthan and the TNA MP Mavai Senathirajah said in a statement on Thursday.

"We understand that he has expressed his feelings. His action should be carefully considered by all groups. We wish to express our condolences and sadness to his family."

"In such a situation it is important that everyone safeguards the peace. We will express and share our agony and grief without any violence."

On Thursday students at the University of Jaffna held a demonstration calling the Sri Lankan government to account over the suicide. See more here.

Senthuran, a student at Kokkuvil Hindu College jumped in front of a train at Kondavil railway station near Jaffna.

Originally from Kopay North, Senthuran left a suicide note in Tamil, addressed to President Maithripala Sirisena, demanding the release of Tamil political detainees, who have been imprisoned under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act. See more here.

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