Police officers in stations across the Jaffna division have had their leave suspended indefinitely, with the North’s police chief citing failure to tackle gang violence around Jaffna town and its suburbs as the reason.
Officers belonging to the nine police stations in the Jaffna division have had their leave cancelled by the Northern Province’s Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police, Roshan Fernando.
On April 22, youths reportedly entered three homes in Thenmaradchi and Chavakacheri, including the home of a local government official and vandalised the properties.
Residents criticised the police who failed to arrive until the following morning, despite the police stations being situated near by.
The IGP cited the police's failure to arrest those responsible for this incident as one of the reasons why leave was being cancelled.
Last year, Sri Lankan police officials were accused of exaggerating reports of gang violence and arrest records to justify ramping up police and security force presence in the run-up to Maaveerar Naal.
Local civil society have expressed concerns that a similar tactic will be used to clamp down on organising around Mullivaikkal remembrance for May 18.
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