Tamil families of the forcibly disappeared in the Amparai District held a protest on 28 May in the Thirukkovil area, once again demanding accountability and justice for their abducted relatives.
The demonstrators, comprised of mothers, fathers, siblings, and spouses of those who vanished during and after the armed conflict, carried placards with messages that reflected their enduring pain and unanswered questions. Signs read: "Where are our loved ones who were handed over to the military?", "Is humanity being protected?", "O State, where are our disappeared kin?", and "Will you provide a permanent solution for the disappeared?"
The protest was led by Thambirasa Selvarani, president of the Association for Families Searching for the Forcibly Disappeared in Amparai District. Civil society activist and advisor to the same association, Thamotharam Pradeeban, also took part, alongside numerous relatives, human rights defenders, and representatives of local organisations.
This demonstration adds to the ongoing calls across the Tamil North-East for truth and justice, particularly for the tens of thousands of Tamils who were disappeared by the Sri Lankan military during and after the final stages of the armed conflict. Despite repeated pledges by successive governments to address enforced disappearances, families, many of whom physically witnessed their loved ones surrendering to the army in May 2009, remain in the dark.
Tamil families of the disappeared have held continuous roadside protests for over 3,000 days, braving state surveillance, intimidation, and political neglect. Their core demands remain unchanged: the release of a comprehensive list of surrendees, international investigations into enforced disappearances, and justice through a credible international mechanism.
The protest was organized under the leadership of Thambirasa Selvarani, president of the Association for Families Searching for the Forcibly Disappeared in Amparai District. Also present were Thamotharam Pradeeban, a civil society activist and advisor to the same association, along with numerous relatives of the disappeared, human rights activists, and representatives of various public organizations.
