Sri Lanka's Counter Terrorism Investigation Division (CTID) has summoned Vasuki Vallipuram, a well-known women’s rights activist and Coordinator of the Women Life and Rights Association – Kilinochchi, for interrogation.
On May 28, 2025, CTID officials visited her residence in Kilinochchi and handed over the summons in person. She has been instructed to appear at the occupying CTID Sub-Branch Office in Paranthan on May 31, 2025, at 2:00 PM. Additionally, the notice directs Vasuki to bring complete details of the beneficiaries associated with her organization.
Vasuki has been a prominent voice advocating for women’s rights in the Tamil homeland. Her summons has raised concerns among civil society groups, who view it as part of a continuing trend of intimidation and surveillance targeting Tamil activists and community leaders.
This is not an isolated incident. Tamil rights activists, particularly women, have repeatedly faced harassment and unwarranted interrogation for their activism.
In December 2024, the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) summoned Navarathnarasa Anjalidevi, a 60-year-old Tamil female social activist residing in Narayanapuram, Palathadichchenai, for an inquiry. Reports indicate that officials visited her residence but, upon finding her absent, delivered the summons via WhatsApp. Anjalidevi, a respected figure in community activism, has previously worked with the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and has been vocal about social justice and human rights issues.
Earlier this year, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) summoned Jesumaney Yartan Figurado, the joint co-ordinator of the North-East Coordinating Committee (NECC), over his participation in a protest opposing the deportation of Rohingya asylum seekers. The protest, held in Mullaitivu, was organized by local women’s groups, human rights defenders, fisher societies, and journalists, urging the Sri Lankan government to halt the deportation of Rohingya refugees, including 25 children, who had been rescued from a distressed boat.
These incidents come amidst continued concerns about the Sri Lankan government's use of anti-terrorism laws to target Tamil activists with little transparency. Despite Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s pledge to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), the legislation continues to be deployed, and security forces persist in interrogating Tamils across the North-East.
