Council chairman of the Karaichi Pradeshiya Sabha (in the northern Kilinochchi district) was threatened by Sri Lankan police to remove a local street sign which said Vettri Lane or to be detained under the Prevention of Terror Act (PTA).
#srilankastateterrorism
#srilankastateterrorism
On Saturday 10th April, Arunachalam Vezhamalikithan (the chairman of the Karaichi Pradeshiya Sabha) was called in by the police at 05:00 in the morning for an inquiry. He had visited the police at 08:00 the same day and was there accused by the police of trying to revive the LTTE
He received an ultimatum on Sunday that if he did not remove the sign board within 72 hours he will be charged as “trying to bring back the LTTE” and will be detained under the PTA.
The sign board “Vettri Lane” was named after former LTTE cadre Emmanuel Colinstas (nom de guerre Vetrikondan aka Vetri) who post-war became a social worker and was actively involved in his local community as the president of the local community centre and the local sports club
giving sports training to the local youth. He was known to the locals for virtually eradicating moonshine and drugs from the area in a time where there was a rapid increase in both substances in the Northern Province post-war.
He has since passed away in a car accident two years ago and in the lead up to his death anniversary and a tribute to his social work this street sign “Vettri Lane” was put up.
Due to the threats of the Sri Lankan police Karaichi Pradeshiya Sabha have instructed workers to take down the street sign who was then seen taking it down on Sunday morning.
Karaichi Pradeshiya Sabha have however said they are committed to bring a sign board honouring Emmanuel Colinstas and gazette it. They say it would be called Emmanuel Colinstas street.
News credit: @JDSLanka
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