Sri Lanka Court Bans Commemoration of LTTE Member Thileepan

Sri Lanka Court Bans Commemoration of LTTE Member Thileepan

Sri Lanka Court Restricts Thileepan Commemorations

The Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court in Sri Lanka has recently issued a prohibition order on the commemoration of ‘Thileepan’, a member of the banned organization, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in several areas within Trincomalee. The court justified this decision by citing potential disruptions to the public peace. The order restricts any form of celebrations, demonstrations, parades, or protests commemorating Thileepan in the areas of Kulakottan Hall and the Gandhi Roundabout within Trincomalee Harbour Police division, and within the Trincomalee police division.

Order Issued Against Tamil Activists

The court order specifically targets several Tamil activists, including R. F. Jerome, the President of the Trincomalee District Tamil People’s Forum, and several others. The activists are known for their advocacy for Tamil rights and have been vocal in their support for commemorations of figures like Thileepan.

Thileepan, whose real name was Rasaiah Parthipan, was a member of the LTTE. He passed away while on a hunger strike in 1987. During this hunger strike, Thileepan had made five requests to the Indian Government, hoping to encourage them to apply pressure on the Sri Lankan Government to fulfill those requests. His death is often marked by Tamil activists who view his hunger strike and subsequent death as a significant event in the history of Tamil struggle.

Effect of the Prohibition Order

The prohibition order by the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court effectively puts a stop to any public commemorations of Thileepan in the specified areas. This move is likely to be met with resistance from Tamil activists who view such commemorations as a key part of their cultural and political history. The prohibition order is also likely to raise questions about freedom of speech and assembly in Sri Lanka.

The prohibition order issued by the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court represents a significant development in the ongoing tensions between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil activists. The decision to ban commemorations of Thileepan points to the continuing controversy surrounding the LTTE and its legacy in Sri Lanka. The impact of this order on Tamil activism and the wider political landscape in Sri Lanka will be closely watched in the coming days.