Sri Lanka’s Human Rights Commission has launched an inquiry into allegations that police assaulted protesters during a demonstration against the controversial Thaiyiddy Vihara in Jaffna.
The investigation follows complaints that Tamil protesters were attacked and arrested by police during a protest held on 21 December last year against the construction of the Buddhist temple, which was built on land belonging to Tamil families.
Among those arrested during the protest were prominent civil society leader Velan Swamigal and Valikamam East Divisional Council Chairman Thiyagaraja Nirosh. Both were later produced before court and subsequently released on bail.
According to the complaint submitted to the Human Rights Commission, the two were allegedly assaulted by Sri Lankan police officers during the demonstration. The day after the incident, both were admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital for medical treatment.
Following the incident, the Nirosh lodged a formal complaint with the Jaffna Regional Office of the Human Rights Commission, alleging police assault and intimidation and requesting that an official investigation be carried out.
Acting on the complaint, the Jaffna Regional Coordinator of the Human Rights Commission, T. Kanagaraj, summoned both the complainant and the police officers involved to appear before the commission and conducted an inquiry into the incident.
During the proceedings, the Nirosh told the Commission that the protesters had been demonstrating against the illegal construction of the Thaiyiddy Vihara when police officers allegedly assaulted them, inflicted injuries and carried out arrests.
He also expressed suspicion that the actions of the police had been carried out under instructions from the government. Police officers who appeared before the Commission rejected the allegations, stating that Sinhala devotees had arrived at the temple during the protest and that the arrests were carried out to prevent possible clashes between protesters and the Sinhalese.
According to the police submission, only minimal force had been used during the arrests. The complainant, however, disputed that claim and told the Commission that police officers pursued the protesters, dragged them beyond police barricades, assaulted them and forcibly placed them inside a vehicle before arresting them.
He further informed the Commission that documentary evidence, medical reports and witness testimonies relating to the alleged assault and intimidation would be submitted within fourteen days. According to Kanagaraj, once these materials are received, the Jaffna Regional Office of the Human Rights Commission will forward the case to the Commission’s head office for further action.
The protest forms part of a broader dispute over the construction of the Thaiyiddy Vihara, which has drawn repeated protests from Tamils, after land belonging to them was appropriated without consent.
As previously reported by the Tamil Guardian, demonstrations in the area have called for the return of the land and the removal of the temple structure, with protesters raising slogans demanding that their land be restored.
