A tale of Two Presidents: Six Years After The War

By Harim Peris.-21/05/2015 

May 19 marked six years since the end of Sri Lanka’s civil war, which at that time had been the world’s second longest running civil conflict, after Lebanon. The end of the war was commemorated in two very different ways from two very different leaders, one present and forward looking, the other defeated and backward looking, who lead a very real battle for the soul and spirit of our nation.

A Tale of Two Presidents Six Years After the War by Thavam Ratna

President disregards pledge to dissolve parliament in 100 days postpones elections to September; local mechanism in 3 months

(Lanka-e-news- 20.May.2015, 11.30PM) President Maithripala Sirisena in total disregard  of the 100 days interim program presented to the people at the last presidential elections as presidential candidate , and ignoring  his solemn announcement made at the national education faculty at Polonnaruwa on  9 th April , said today, parliament will be dissolved and a new government will be formed in September this year.

The president made this revelation when he met with the media Institution owners and chiefs of the media  this morning at the presidential secretariat ,Fort. The date of elections is decided by the elections commissioner , and president would not act according to the needs of astrologers  , he added. 

In accordance with  the 100 days program the temporary government is to be dissolved after 100 days  ,and a new parliament shall be appointed , he promised. That promise of his is not just a vague one for he had  confirmed the date of dissolution as 23 rd April.

The Rajapakse corrupt and crooked slaves who are in a majority in parliament had been creating unwarranted mayhems and impediments in parliament to the detriment of the nation , as a result the ratification  of the 19 th amendment was postponed until 28 th April. 

The  amendment was to be presented  on the 20 th and  the president too on April 9 th confirmed  at Polonnaruwa ,the amendment will be presented in parliament on the 20 th , and no sooner this  bill is passed than the parliament will be dissolved with a view to holding elections , while also disclosing  there  are some disputations within , and all those would be resolved after the next  general elections  .

Based on the revelations made by the president today discarding  all his pledges   , if the new  parliament is to be appointed in September , he is creating   room himself  to go on for a further four months on this disputatious course.

Going by  his  announcement made today , it is evident he wants to go on for a further several months alongside and amidst the mayhem created  and disgraceful treatment given to the sublime parliament by the SLFP crooks and slaves who have turned the parliament into a hotbed of vile , villainous , vituperative  anti national and traitorous activities, illustrated by  their shameless acts of turpitude and depravity including sleeping on the parliament carpets after indulging in drinking orgies ; tabling invalid unlawful no confidence motions; and making all the  sordid and unscrupulous  moves to stop the action duly taken by the present government to bring all the culprits and crooks to book . That is , they have all along been  obstructing the investigations by the FCID now being conducted against criminal corrupt politicos , kith and kin , and  henchmen of the Rajapakse regime.

The president who did not honor his promises he made  that the parliament will be dissolved  on two occasions earlier ,will he stand by his latest promise – come September ?

Another intriguing and important disclosure made by the president before the media  personnel was :
The local mechanism to probe the human rights violations during the war shall begin in June and end in September.The government is averse to an international investigation , and this has been conveyed to Ban Ki Moon who had agreed to that , the president also stated. 

The assurance that the investigation can  be concluded within 3 months via the local mechanism is something unacceptable , and the undertaking given internationally is , as the parliament that is dismissed by a referendum cannot implement it , after the new parliament is formed , a local mechanism will be established.

Hence , if the government is dishonoring its  undertakings , it’s a matter for doubt  whether  it will be accepted  internationally. If that happens , the international investigation will come into being in September , in which event it will become obvious because of  the personal agendas of the president overriding ,the country was  driven  into a dismal and disastrous plight .

The president’s announcement  today at the media conference is  totally contradictory to what Susil Premajayantha and Nimal Siripala the seniors of his own party said at a media briefing day before yesterday..

While the party seniors said , the special financial crime investigation division (FCID)  will be dismantled ,the president on the other hand said , the CID that was established to probe into monumental financial frauds and embezzlements will not be disbanded, ‘I did not tell that it will be dismantled . I suggested to Ranil Wickremesinghe that one clause in the gazette notification establishing the FCID shall be amended.’

 Though the  president holds the position of president of the SLFP, he must be realizing that  he has no control over its administration . If Susil and Nimal are openly  defying and contradicting the stance of the party president , either they are jokers or the whole drama is spurious and a joke.

When a journalist questioned Maithripala over the statement made by ex president Mahinda Rajapakse that at various places the LTTE flag was displayed , the president ‘s answer was ,the state intelligence keeps him informed  once every  24 hours of the day , and no such reports were received from anywhere. May be these flags are visible only to  Mahinda Rajapakse  , the president remarked  sarcastically.

The president responding to the queries raised relating to the conspiracy at the Temple trees on 9 th January morning  said , he would prefer not to use the word  ‘conspiracy’. On that day , amidst discussions , certain decisions were to be taken and  while the election results were being announced a  sudden curfew  was to be clamped . In this connection the CID is acting  expeditiously to furnish  a report  to him , he noted

The  clearing of Wilpattu conservation is wrong. Not one conservation should be cleared. Deforestation should be stopped. It is true that those displaced must be given alternative locations  and to the second and third generations .Yet the conservation forests cannot be used for that. The resettlement in Wilpattu side was made  on the recommendations of the task force pertaining to lands  under the past regime. Investigations are on going in this regard.

Over the holding of the general elections and how it is to be conducted , there are  issues within the party and  whether or not the preferential voting must  be abolished. In this connection discussions will be held today and tomorrow. (20 th and 21 st). The president also pledged to expedite the pension scheme of workers who are abroad , and to ensure that their  right to franchise is  granted.
    

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by     (2015-05-21 11:22:09)

The Adrenalin Rush To Save The Wilpattu National Park

By Mass L. Usuf –May 21, 2015

Mass L. Usuf

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) a global monitoring body of internally displaced people worldwide estimates that as of February 2015, there are 90,000 IDPs in Sri Lanka. Most of them live in host communities and others in camps. Some cannot go back to their lands as it has been occupied by the forces.

In this thirty year old saga, the Wilpattu National Park, one of the few natural assets of this island, has taken center stage in the battle of righteousness. Protecting this 131, 667 hectares santuary including its fauna and flora is an absolute national imperative. The necessary laws are in place, the oldest among them being the Forest Ordinance No 16 of 1907. Civil organizations, conservationists, and environmentalists are the watchdogs.

Some elements of these watchdogs in collaboration with extremist organisations and there proxies have turned out to be diehard ‘actors’ in the cause of conservation. The National Park was previously dragged into controversy when reportedly the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) charged that Minister Rishad Bathiudeen had settled Muslims after clearing part of the land belonging to the park.

A disturbing concern however, is the eclectic approach of these ‘actors’ in their zeal to protect the forest. Are they sincere activists or pawns fulfilling a different agenda altogether? There have undoubtedly, been many instances of glaringly gross violations of our reserves. I shall rest my case only with one.

Why did not we see the “jathika vasthun surakimu” tamasha, when the Colombo Telegraph reported in September 11, 2014, as follows :

“Sri Lanka Navy has forcefully acquired close to 900 acres of forestry located within the perimeters of the Wilpattu National Park to carry out constructions of a mega tourism project. According to information revealed by the officials of the Environment Conservation Trust, the land grab has been carried out by the SLN in the area located along the Northern border of the park, in the vicinity of the Mollikulam area. Presently, a large wall that is about nine inches in height is being built around the forcefully acquired land and its constructions have been completed so far for about 2 km along the Eluwankulama – Silwathura road that was also constructed by the SLN illegally.                                               Read More

Kuragala, Wilpattu: Politics of heritage and politics of land

by Latheef Farook

In the British Parliamentary elections held on Thursday May 7, the Labour Party suffered heavy losses. Within 24 hours, a devastated Ed Miliband resigned as leader of the Labour party saying “It was time for someone else to take over as leader”.

Kuragala, Wilpattu Politics of Heritage and Politics of Land by Thavam Ratna

Planes thronging Mattala after seeing billboards at paddyfields

Thursday, 21 May 2015

During the periods the Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa international airport was under construction and was close to its opening, politicians of the then government described it as a godsent treasure for the country. They said that the airport would send the products

of the rural people directly overseas and will facilitate the travels of expatriate workers, including women of the south.

As per those claims, the rural folk of the south are today having a very good time. It is such a good time for them that Pakistan is importing betel and arecanuts to produce Babul from areas of the south through Mattala airport. Owners of super markets in the US, England visit the southern farmers at their farmlands and buy their vegetables. Businessmen of Arabia and the Europe come to the south via Mattala and buy cinnamon, pepper and other spices. Furthermore, businessmen from Latin American countries go to chenas in the thick jungles of Thanamalwila, Udawalawa via Mattala and buy Thriloka Vijaya Patra (cannabis), because it is cheaper to import than to grow it in their own countries.

Therefore, the people of the south are thriving and leading very happy lives. People are that happy because of the Mattala airport constructed by the king.

Also, Sri Lanka is earning a considerable income by supplying fuel for airplanes, and the island has become a leading supplier of aircraft fuel in the world. The main reason for that is that Mahinda Rajapaksa Airport in Mattala has become a hub for supplying aircraft fuel. Even the airplanes that come to other countries in Asia visit Mattala purely to buy fuel. This has made it one of the busiest airports in the region.

As a result, other airports in the region are having a zero income, and an international conspiracy is on the cards against Mattala and the king who was instrumental in its construction.

Mattala airport sources say that since the airport has become very busy, it is experiencing difficulties in serving the aircraft awaiting to be refuelled. As a solution, Suriyawewa Mahinda Rajapaksa international stadium, big playgrounds in schools in the area and even certain places of Magampura port are being used to land all aircraft, excepting very large ones. It has been decided to supply fuel by bowser to aircraft at those locations.

The former regime displayed very big billboards in Hambantota area regarding the supply of aircraft fuel, and below are pictures of some of them. We are publishing these pictures as an act of felicitation of Appachchi, who had built a world number one airport in the south

(Don’t misinterpret. These billboards are erected at paddy-fields by the roadsides for the benefit of officials who, after landing their aircraft in the vicinity of Mattala, are on their way to the airport, with the aim of further expanding the fuel supplying business).

Vasu flares up with Ranil

වාසුදේව සුනඛයාට ඇඳ පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ කුණුහරුපෙන් බුරයි (Video)

2015-05-21
Democratic Left Front Leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe embroiled themselves in a heated exchange of words in Parliament today.

The two leaders started the dust up with each other during cross talk over the request for an urgent debate in the House on the report by the panel of lawyers who examined the controversial Central Bank bond issue.

Mr. Nanayakkara, who rose on a point of order, appeared to be furious after the Prime Minister made certain remarks asking him to sit down. He shot back at the Prime Minister with a verbal harangue for a few minutes.

At one point, Mr. Nanayakkara said, "Who the hell are you ask me to sit down?

The Prime Minister also responded, but his words could not be heard properly in the press gallery apparently due to his mike being switched off at the time. However, once he was heard saying, "You have not shaved your beard even. At least, shave your beard and come."

It was a moment of amusement for some opposition and government members as they giggled and thumbed their desks upon hearing various remarks during the cross talks marked with certain obscenities at times.

The public gallery was full of school children at the time, and Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa alerted it to the House.

"Please mind that there are school children in the gallery viewing the proceedings," he said. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera) - See more at: http://www.dailymirror.lk/73385/vasu-flares-up-with-ranil#sthash.S14QwQBR.dpuf

වාසුදේව සුනඛයාට ඇඳ පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ කුණුහරුපෙන් බුරයි (Video)

(ලංකා ඊ නිව්ස් -2015.මැයි.21, ප.ව. 8.30) රාජපක්ෂ රෙජීමයේ මෘගයන් සහ චෞරයන් වෙනුවෙන් දිවි හිමියෙන් පෙනී සිටින වාසුදේව නානායක්කාර මේ ගෙවන්නේ තම පාර්ලිමේන්තු ජීවිතයේ අවසාන දින කිහිපය බවත් නැවත කිසි දිනෙක පාර්ලිමේන්තුවට පැමිණීමට නොහැකි බවත් දන්නා බැවින් මේ දිනවල ඉන්නේ වියරු වැටිලාය. එහි කූඨ ප්‍රාප්තිය ලෙස වාසුදේව අද පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේදී අගමැතිවරයාට ‘පකයා‘ කියා කුණු හරුපයෙන් බැන වදිමින් මරදානේ චොප්පේ වත් හැසිරෙන්නේ නැති ආකාරයට හැසිරුණි. මිනිසුන් වයසට යද්දී තැන්පත් බුද්ධිමත් මිනිසුන් වෙද්දී වාසුදේව තිරිසන් බල්ලෙක් බවට පත් වී කුණුහරුපෙන් බුරා පැන්න ආකාරය පහත වීඩියෝවේ දැක්වේ. වාසු යනු රාජපක්ෂගේ රාජ්‍ය භාෂා ඇමැතිවරයා වීමත් ඔහුගේ භාෂාව කුණුහරුප වීමත් අපූරු ගැලපීමකි 

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by     (2015-05-21 19:34:20)

NO To Animal Cruelty – YES To Animal Welfare Bill

By Vositha Wijenayake –May 21, 2015

Vositha Wijenayake

Recently a video which was shared by a Sri Lankan on his Facebook managed to grab a lot of attention. Why? Many reasons. One probably being that some people liked watching cruelty to animals, the other due toa petition which was launched against the video, requesting that the man be punished for cruelty he inflicted on the animal. More specifically a cat, which was been taunted for a human’s entertainment.

A few questions remained unanswered. One includes the identity of the individual on the video, who speaks in Tamil to the cat, throwing it around, in the air, flipping him from side to side, and also carrying the animal by his neck, with his mouth as a cat would carry his kittens. This obviously creates a question as to the mental stability of the human who seems to be behaving not humane. Despite the petition’s call for punishing of the individual who has shared the video given the dilemma mentioned one cannot be assured whether it is the sharer who is in the video or not.

In addition to the lack of clarity of the individual, the biggest hurdle to take action against this sort of individuals remains the law. The law that is archaic, outdated with fines which are too low and with implementation that is almost never. If one has not heard of filed a case against anyone being fined for hitting his cat, not feeding it, or injuring it by throwing fire crackers at it, this would be due to the non-implementation of the law on animal cruelty in Sri Lanka, as well as the short-comings pertaining to it.

Cruelty to Animals

Cruelty to animals is defined by Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance No. 13 of 1907 as amended by N0.19 of 1912, 43 of 1917, 9 of 1919, 23 of 1921, 16 of 1927, 17 of 1930, 12 of 1945 and Act no. 22 of 1955.

According to section 2 of the Ordinance, the offence of cruelty is defined as including cruelly beat, ill-treat, over-drive, or cause or procure to be cruelly beaten, ill-treated, over-driven, over-ridden, abused or torture any animal; cause unnecessary pain or suffering to any animal by an act or omission, as well as convey or carry or cause them in vehicles, basket, box, or cage or otherwise, any animal or position animals so as to subject them to unnecessary pain or suffering.The penalty for this offence is provided as a fine that may extend to hundred rupees, or imprisonment (maximum 3 months) or both.Read More

The true story behind Yoshitha, Yasara and Wasim!

Wednesday, 20 May 2015

It is important to take a look again at the lankaleaks article posted on 08 July 2012 that first revealed the mystery surrounding the death of Wasim Thajudeen, which has come up again.

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/funspire/iWmfVHqoe4o

 

Below is an English translation of the posting:

 

Everybody knows that Yasara Abeynayake is the girlfriend of present president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha. Before their affair received the blessings of Shiranthi Rajapaksa in order for the use of Yasara as the puppet for the running of the Rajapaksa family’s television channel, she had been truly in love with Wasim Thajudeen, who died mysteriously. The selfish Ananda Abeynayake opposed their affair since the beginning due to Wasim being a Muslim.

 

The friendship between Abeynayake-Rajapaksa dates back to the period of the ‘undying people.’ Abeynayake was able to send his daughter to activities of Tharunyata Hetak in order to realise his dream of seeing her as the daughter-in-law of the future president. By the time it came to be known that Yoshitha had a liking for Yasara, she had already become pregnant by Wasim.

 

Dreaming of getting the Rajapaksa name added to that of Abeynayake, the father relieved the daughter from her burden, and then kept her under house arrest.

 

Abeynayake was so willing that he even left home citing work whenever Yoshitha visited his home.

 

Saying that Yasara should not waste her time at home, Yoshitha got her an appointment as an executive producer at Eye Channel. The girl was not willing in the beginning, but later came to taste the money and the power and did her utmost to get Yoshitha attached to her. Even though being older to him, Yoshitha identified the talents of Yasara and appointed her as the head of Carlton television channel.

 

Once Yoshitha, together with Namal the treasure hunter, subjected Sri Lanka’s rugby under the influence of the mafia, a fearless ruggerite raised a voice against them. Despite being a Muslim, Wasim Thajudeen had risen up against injustice even during his schooldays.

 

The rise up of Thajudeen against Yoshitha’s rugby mafia, against the threatening of other players at the grounds by using political power, against the issuing death threats during exchange of words while at play, were all seen by Yoshitha as acts of jealousy by the former lover of Yasara. But, Wasim was even prepared to marry her when Yasara became pregnant. But, the selfish Ananda Abeynayake and his daughter discarded him like a piece of garbage and forgot him.

 

Wasim was always an obstacle against her becoming the wife of the president’s son, and he was also a rival of Abeynayake. He had never dug up the history, but he was a threat to the Abeynayake family. Therefore, Abeynayake kept telling falsehoods to Yoshitha that Wasim was threatening and harassing his daughter.

 

This makes is clear that the sole objective was to see the end of Wasim. It is an open secret that the last exchange of words between Wasim and Yoshitha took place at Flower Drum restaurant, where Wasim had referred to a birthmark of Yasara, which led Yoshitha’s outrage to bursting point. Wasim suffered the same fate that befell Daskon.

 

He was abducted, suffocated with his head put inside a polythene bag and his dead body put inside his car, which was set on fire, as Yoshitha’s friends were used to say when they became drunk. But, according to Sri Lanka’s police, it was a road accident. All are silent because everybody knows that Yoshitha cannot be punished other than by a government of the opposition. Yoshitha’s killer army is still at large!!

 

Present status

 

Since the above article has everything contained in it, it is pointless to speak any further about the killing. But, it is clear that law enforcement authorities covered it up due to pressure. All those behind it should be brought to book. Many questions remain to be asked from the officials who carried out the investigation:

 

The then police spokesman said the accident had taken place due to speeding. If so, what is the speed of the vehicle according to the police?

What is the speed, according to police, for a vehicle to meet with a fatal accident?

In a two-lane road, what is the extent of the damage a vehicle could suffer, after going at the speed mentioned by police between a tree and a small boutique, and then turning 90 degrees to hit the wall of Shalika grounds?

Will tire marks remain after a speeding vehicle turn 90 degrees and hit a wall?

Was there any damage to the tires of the vehicle driven by Wasim? How come the tires remained undamaged after a speeding vehicle met with an accident?

From which place inside of the car the fire suspected by the police emanated?

How come the easily inflammable dashboard remained intact?

Did police look into as to why Wasim had been speeding?

Was he under the influence of liquor?

What did the occupants of nearby houses say about the ‘accident’ which should have been very loud?

How come Wasim’s seat burnt the most, while other seats were unharmed?

Didn’t any other vehicle pass the spot at Park Lane after the accident at 1.00 pm at night?

How come Wasim’s purse was found 1.5 km away several days later?

Do people travelling in speeding vehicles throw away their purses?

What is the distance from the scene of the accident to the nearest bend at Park Road? Can the vehicle reach the speed mentioned by police from that bend? In the meantime, can the occupant throw his purse away?

What are the safety ratings of the vehicle?

Was a crash test conducted into the vehicle? 

 

CRASH TEST 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zet4qF4cE3Q&list=PLU9zdsud17Y2OuQJrDr9JLE6wX_x7eNzJ#t=85

 

Another important thing is that two days prior to this incident, a dilapidated van without number-plates or owner was found burnt near the bridge towards Pelawatte from Sri Jayewardenepura Parliament road.

 

Talking about Yasara again, her affair with Yoshitha broke up 1.5 years ago. She studied at Middlesex University from 2005 to 2008. Returning to Sri Lanka, she got to know about Wasim through her schoolmates Oshini and Shyamali, and they became lovers in 2009. Later, she was introduced to Yoshitha by another friend, Kaushi Edirisinghe, a model. Later, they became lovers. Her birthday is on February 13.

 

It is time to punish the killers. This is for the attention of all those who speak of ‘Yaha Paalanaya’!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jaffna rises against rape- 9 suspects arrested

By Chandrasena Marasinghe, Madawa Kulasuriya (Vavuniya) and Mirudhula Thambiah

 2015-05-21 

Jaffna residents protested opposite the Jaffna Courts complex yesterday (20) demanding the death sentence for all those responsible for the rape and murder of 18-year-old Sivaloganaadan Vithiya, a student of the Jaffna Kayts Punkuduthivu Maha Vidyalaya.

The angry demonstration was unleashed on the streets leading to the Court before the suspects were driven into the Court premises.

One of the suspects was arrested whilst in hiding in Wellawatte, Colombo.
Police Anti-Riot Squad personnel had to use tear gas to disperse the protesters who attempted to clash with Police who had cordoned off the area surrounding the Courts complex, by attempting forcible entry into the Courts Complex.
Two vehicles parked inside the Courts complex were damaged in an attack with stones on the Police.
Police Special Task Force personnel were deployed in the area as a security measure when two Police officers sustained injuries in the confrontation.

A large numbers of residents supported the protest demonstration.
On Tuesday (19) the business community of Jaffna closed shops and offices as a sign of protest against the rape and murder of the schoolgirl calling angrily for the heads of the killer-rapists.
School teachers too participated in the protest.
The suspects produced in Court on 19 May were all residents of Punkuduthivu including 31-year-old Thillenaadan Chandrakaanthan, 30-year-old Mahalingam Sushidaran, 23-year-old Shivadevan Kushanthan, 26-year-old P. Kugadaasan and 26-year-old Jeyakaran Gopithan.

A group led by Tamil National Alliance MP Mavai Senathirajah had urged the Police to give the suspects the maximum possible punishment.
Prior to this, three brothers had been arrested on suspicion and produced at the Kayts Court after which the trio had been remanded till 6 June.
Meanwhile, a massive crowd attended on 15 May the funeral of the 18-year-old rape-murder victim at the Punkuduthivu Cemetery.

A Special Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team has been appointed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to investigate the Punkuduthivu gang rape-murder case.
Police sources said the special team was sent to Jaffna yesterday to open its probe into the crime.
Police yesterday arrested 127 protestors who attacked the Jaffna Courts Complex when the Punkuduthivu gang rape suspects were produced before the Magistrate.

The Jaffna courts complex came under attack yesterday when eight suspects of the Punkuduthivu gang rape were produced in courts, barring the ninth suspect who was arrested in Wellawatte on Tuesday (19) night who was not produced in Court due to security reasons, Police said.
Tension spread throughout Jaffna yesterday when protestors created havoc within the Courts Complex. Protestors pelted stones at the Courts Complex demanding that the Police hand over the suspects to the public, by surrounding the entire Jaffna Courts area.

Protestors even broke through barricades and burnt tires on the roads to vent their anger at the suspects.
The prison's vehicle and vehicles parked at the Courts complex and the Courts complex itself were damaged by the protestors.
However Police managed to control the situation and disperse the protestors by firing tear gas.
Two Police constables were injured during the attacks as the protestors pelted stones and ran amok.
Sadly, even the 18-year-old gang rape-murder victim's mother lost consciousness when the Police used tear gas on the protesters.

Reports said the victim Vithiya's body was found in an abandoned house in Punkuduthivu on 14 May following which police initially arrested three suspects and later six other suspects. Medical examinations proved that she was gang raped and murdered. She went missing on 13 May.
Meanwhile several other protests were staged in the North and East condemning the incident and the protestors demanded immediate justice.
The Jaffna Magistrate ordered the first three suspects to be remanded until 28 June and the other five until 1 June.

Gang-rape prompts protests in Sri Lanka's north

Public anger over sexual assault and murder of schoolgirl spills over into violent demonstration in Jaffna

Protesters demanded that authorities hand over nine men who were facing Jaffna court over the murder [Minelle Piet Fernandez / Al Jazeera]

20 May 2015

More than 100 people have been arrested during protests against the gang-rape and murder of a 17-year-old schoolgirl, in the biggest public demonstration recorded in Sri Lanka's north.

Police fired tear gas and shops, banks and schools were closed on Wednesday as the protests brought Jaffna, the capital of Northern Province, to a standstill.

The protesters demanded that authorities hand over nine men who were arrested and about to face court over the incident.

The victim left for school on Wednesday last week but never arrived.

Her parents filed a missing person's report and a search was launched. The next day the girl's body was found in Punguditivu.

According to reports, her hands and legs had been tied and a rag had been stuffed into her mouth before she died.

Residents have reacted angrily to the attack since the teenager’s body was found.

"The brutal way this schoolgirl has been attacked is shocking and that’s why we are so angry," a lecturer at the University of Jaffna told Al Jazeera.

S Sudharshan, who was also among protesters wielding black flags and banners, said: "We want justice for Vidya and demand that her killers are brought to book swiftly."

School children joined the protests and groups of young people carried banners with the dead girl’s picture.

Protests turn violent

What began as a largely peaceful protest turned violent as the suspects were brought before the Jaffna magistrate.

Police fired tear gas as a mob demanded they hand over the men for punishment.

Protesters stoned the courthouse and attacked vehicles in the area before the situation was brought under control.

The deputy inspector-general of police in Jaffna, GK Perera, told Al Jazeera that "there was an outbreak of violence within a very short period - we are investigating the cause of this".

The protesters arrested were charged for unlawful protests and damaging public property.

It was the first time a public demonstration of anger on this scale had been seen in Sri Lanka's north in recent years.

Analysts say this is an indication of a more tolerant approach by the new government in Colombo, which has allowed space for expression.

The case resumes in court on Thursday.