Another interrogation for Thileepan memorial convoy in Vavuniya

Sri Lankan police halted a travelling memorial dedicated to Lt Col Thileepan in Vavuniya on Monday, as the organisers of the remembrance convoy were subjected to further harrassment and intimidation.

Police in Vavuniya stopped the memorial, which is being organised by the Tamil National People’s Front, and questioned the activists travelling with it.

After being questioned and having photographs of their ID cards taken, the activists were eventually allowed to continue.

In Mannar yesterday, armed Sri Lankan soldiers also stopped the convoy as it travels across the Tamil homeland to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of Thileepan’s hunger strike.

Thileepan began his fast on 15th September 1987, surrounded by over 100,000 supporters, and died 11 days later, on the 26th September 1987. Events are being held to commemorate Thileepan across the North-East.