Protesters arrested in Silavathuri (Mannar)

(May 30, Mannar, Sri Lanka Guardian) On 27th May, around 10.30am Ministers / MPs Basil Rajapakse and Rishard Bathurdeen have visited Silavathuri (Musali Divisional Secretariat division, Mannar district) to open the renovated Silavathuri hospital. Since Navy has taken most parts of Silavathuri town for their camp, returning IDPs have no access to their homes, land and public buildings.

Around 25 returnees protested outside the navy camp demanding the navy to vacate their town. Few of them held placards demanding Minister Basil to take immediate action. Minister Basil has got very angry and cut short his participation at this ceremony. Few minute after his departure Silavathuri police went into the village and arrested the protesters. They were released on 29th May.

Four of them have been asked to give verbal testimony. They were initially accused of forcefully entering into high security zone (Silavathurai Navy camp where Minister Basil was) and shouting at Minister Basil. They were holding placards at the entrance of Navy camp by the side of the fence. Minister Basil had asked Minister Rishard and the Divisional Secretary how these people were able to come closer to the navy camp with the placards. Before Minister Basil got into the helicopter he ordered the navy commander to arrest all of them.