‘Justice for Arul!' - Protesters demand accountability for police killing of Tamil teenager

A protest was held in Kayts, Jaffna, demanding justice for a 17-year-old Tamil boy who was shot dead by Sri Lankan police, as activists and family members marked one month since the killing.

The demonstration took place in front of the occupying Kayts Police Station and was organised by human rights activists alongside relatives of the victim. Protesters called for the immediate arrest of the officers involved and demanded a transparent investigation into the incident.

The teenager, identified as Arulpius, also known as Arul, was killed on 10 February 2026 after police opened fire on a vehicle that had allegedly defied orders to stop. The shooting took place in Allaipiddy in the Jaffna peninsula.

According to reports, Arul, a resident of the Vattukkottai area, was driving the vehicle when police fired at it. He was killed during the incident. An autopsy conducted at Jaffna Teaching Hospital confirmed that the fatal bullet entered his forehead, penetrated his head and pierced his brain.

Marking one month since the shooting, demonstrators gathered to call for accountability and an end to police brutality. Protesters insisted that those responsible for the killing should be arrested and prosecuted.

However, allegations have been raised that Sri Lankan police have failed to carry out even basic investigations into the officers involved in the shooting.

Initially, protesters gathered near the Urkavalthurai Magistrate’s Court to demand justice for the slain teenager. Police warned demonstrators that protests could not be held near the court premises as they would disrupt court proceedings and subsequently dispersed the gathering.

Following this intervention, protesters continued their demonstration in front of the Urkavalthurai Police Station.

The case relating to the shooting is scheduled to be taken up before the Urkavalthurai Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
The killing of the teenager has drawn widespread concern among local residents and human rights activists, with many calling for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the police shooting.