Protest Planned in Kilinochchi Demanding Release of Detained Books by Tamil Writers

A protest is set to take place on Sunday, April 26, 2026, in Kilinochchi, calling for the release of books authored by poet Deepachelvan and other writers that are currently being held by Sri Lanka Customs.

The announcement was made by A. Sathiyanandan, President of the Sri Lanka chapter of the World Tamil Cultural Movement, during a media briefing held on April 24, 2026. He urged the public to join the demonstration in solidarity.

Speaking further, Sathiyanandan stated that the books of Deepachelvan—an लेखक widely recognized both in the Tamil homeland and among the diaspora—have been detained jointly by the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Customs. He noted that the author’s works have also been read and translated among Sinhala literary circles, reflecting their broader recognition.

He added that even Sinhala writers have begun voicing concern over the continued detention of these publications.

According to Sathiyanandan, a discussion was held last week at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs regarding the possible release of the books. However, no resolution was reached during those talks.

Meanwhile, the Kilinochchi Media Centre has issued a statement condemning the move, describing it as part of an ongoing pattern of suppression against the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka. The statement further characterized the restrictions on Tamil literary works as not only a denial of democratic freedoms but also as a “cultural war” against the intellectual and creative expression of the Tamil community.

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