Sri Lankan police tore down a banner erected in remembrance of the Tamil genocide in Point Pedro, Jaffna earlier today.
The banner had been put up by residents of Point Pedro ahead of the 17th Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day on 18 May. It featured photographs of Balachandran and Isaipriya whose deaths became enduring symbols of the atrocities committed by the Sri Lankan military in Mullivaikkal alongside the words, “We will never forget, we will never forgive".
According to residents, officers from the Point Pedro Police arrived in civilian clothing at around 11.00 a.m. on Saturday (16) and removed the banner after cutting it down.
A local youth who later went to inquire about the incident was allegedly threatened by the occupying police officers, who warned that a case could be filed against him. The youth’s personal details were also reportedly obtained by the officers during the exchange.
Residents further stated that Sri Lankan Police have been exerting pressure in several areas to remove Mullivaikkal remembrance banners erected across the region ahead of the annual commemorations.
