Police Remove Loudspeakers from Thileepan Memorial Sites in Jaffna Over Lack of Permission

Police officers have removed loudspeakers installed at several Thileepan remembrance venues in Jaffna, citing the alleged lack of permission to use loudspeakers.

The incident took place today (Sep18) at several locations where remembrance events are being held in memory of Thileepan, the LTTE cadre who died following a hunger strike in 1987.

According to reports, police officers from the Jaffna Police Station forcibly removed a loudspeaker that was being used to play songs at a Thileepan remembrance pavilion in the Nallur area of Jaffna.

Similar incidents were reported in the Velanai and Uduvil areas. Police officers attached to the local police stations reportedly removed loudspeakers that were being used to play songs at Thileepan remembrance locations.

When people present at the sites questioned the officers about the removal of the loudspeakers, the police reportedly said that the equipment was being used without the required permission and that this was the reason for its removal.

The incidents have drawn criticism from those attending the remembrance events, who questioned the manner in which the loudspeakers were removed.

It is noteworthy that loudspeakers were also installed and songs were played at the same locations during last year’s Thileepan remembrance events.