Description

A group of Sinhala nationalist mob, consisting of approximately 50 people attacked a memorial float dedicated to rebel leader Lieutenant Colonel Thileepan, who died during a hunger strike in September 1987. On 15th of September 2023, commemorating the 37th death anniversary of Thileepan, the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) began the memorial float carrying a large photograph of Thileepan. It commenced from the Pothuvil town in Eastern Province, and proceeded to Batticaloa via Verugal, and Muttur, and was eventually obstructed by a group in Sardapura (also called Kappalthurai), while en route to Trincomalee in Eastern province. The mob attacked the vehicle with stones and batons, and severely beat TNFP MP Selvarasa Gajendran who was travelling behind the vehicle. Police arrested 6 persons in relation to the attack.