- Three remanded; Computer Crime Branch to continue probe
- Fmr. MP Dolawatta criticises police action
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested four individuals for disturbing the peace by allegedly promoting the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) under the guise of commemorating war dead last week.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday (1 December), Police Spokesperson Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Nihal Thalduwa stated that the four suspects had been produced before Magistrates Courts.
The suspects, aged 28, 35, 45, and 50, are residents of Baddegama, Inuvil, Maradana. According to the Police, the individuals circulated photographs and videos of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on social media, along with footage from previous LTTE (Mahaveerar Naal ‘Great Hero’s day’) events, falsely presenting them as this year’s celebrations. “They have used the photos and videos of previous celebrations and used it as this year's celebration,” DIG Thalduwa explained.
One suspect who was arrested in Boralasgamuwa, reportedly named Kalum Jayasumana was remanded till Thursday (4) after being produced before the Colombo Magistrates Court. Two other suspects who were arrested have been remanded till tomorrow (3).
The senior police officer clarified that the Government’s stance on such commemoration of war dead, does not allow for promoting a banned organisation like the LTTE, or glorifying acts of terrorism. He emphasised that while commemorating deceased individuals by their relatives is not prohibited, promoting the LTTE organisation remains illegal under a gazette notification issued in 2011.
The arrests were made under Section 120 of the Penal Code and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) No. 48 of 1978 and the suspects are accused of inciting violence and spreading misleading content promoting the activities of a proscribed organisation.
DIG Thalduwa further highlighted that a gazette notification issued on 29 August 2011 under the PTA, prohibits Mahaveerar Naal celebrations and reaffirms the Government’s unchanged stance on the matter. “But the Government did not block the commemoration of the dead by their relatives. It does not mean that it was allowed to promote the LTTE organisation under the guise of the commemorations. Therefore, the necessary steps will be taken according to the relevant laws,” he stated.
Speaking to the press outside the Colombo Magistrates court, former SLPP MP and NDF candidate for Colombo at the last elections, Premanath C. Dolawatta, who appeared on behalf of one of the suspects, criticised the Police for enforcing the law selectively and claimed that the Police had yet to take action against new members of the Parliament who celebrated and worshiped former terrorist leader Velupillai Prabakaran.