Thread by @TamilGuardian

BREAKING – Authorities destroying Mullivaikkal memorial at Jaffna University

A monument paying tribute to the tens of thousands of Tamils massacred by the Sri Lankan state at the University of Jaffna is currently being bulldozed by authorities.

Heavy machinery has been pictured inside the campus toppling the monument.

Students have gathered at the gates of university campus but fear entering amidst reports that Sri Lankan soldiers may also be present.

Sri Lankan police officers have been pictured arriving at the scene just moments ago, as the tense situation continues.

More to follow.

The monument was first unveiled in 2019, on the 10 year anniversary of the Mullivaikkal massacres.

The massacres saw tens of thousands of Tamils killed by the Sri Lankan state in 2009.

As students gathered outside the gates, they expressed concerns about other memorials inside the campus, including the Pongu Thamil commemoration board and a central monument commemorating lives lost in the Tamil liberation struggle.

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REPORTS - a group of students accompanied by politicians entered campus and are engaged in verbal confrontations with the university administration. Meanwhile more and more students and locals are gathering outside as the tense situation continues.

Sri Lankan police officer berates Mayor of Jaffna in Sinhala, ordering him away from the scene. Mayor Manivannan asserts he is standing on a public road.

University Registrar reportedly issued physical threats to those who had entered the campus. Sri Lankan police surrounded the memorial to allow the bulldozing to take place.

Sri Lankan Special Task Force troops block Jaffna University campus gates. Tamils gathered stage sit-in protest against the destruction of the Mullivaikkal memorial.

Video: Sri Lankan Special Task Force troops carry out motorbike patrols around the Jaffna University campus.

Nearing midnight in Jaffna and the protest continues, amidst heavy police and STF presence.

Protesters chanting: “We need to speak, we need to speak with the VC”; “Come outside, come outside, please come outside”; and “Don’t commit race betrayal.”

Video from earlier this evening, journalists covering the destruction of the memorial were assaulted by Sri Lankan police and plain clothes intelligence personnel.

Two Jaffna University students were arrested by Sri Lankan police. Jaffna Mayor Manivannan is at police station now.

VICE CHANCELLOR RESPONDS: “We cannot keep these [monuments]. Even if we want to lay a small foundation stone we must obtain permission from the relevant ministry." (1)

VICE CHANCELLOR RESPONDS: "So we were told that things that were built illegally must be removed and that they must be informed of it after. They said that they found this out through investigation and that we cannot keep this at the University." (2)

VICE CHANCELLOR RESPONDS: "I had sent this letter to the appropriate maintenance/ engineer officers and they have just responded to this, that’s all. Some are seeking political gain here; however this is something that had to be removed somehow. We cannot keep it." (3)

VICE CHANCELLOR RESPONDS: "There are small threats, but we will deal with them later. They have come because they are over-enthusiastic. It is illegal for them to threaten us. If they do not go by themselves we will deal with them.” (4)

A group of protesters are still demonstrating outside campus past 2.30am. “Military, get out!” they chant.

UPDATE: after some protesters stayed overnight, the demonstration continues with more students and locals joining this morning

The Jaffna university campus and protest against destruction of the Mullivaikkal monument remains heavily guarded by STF and police.