People in Jaffna still live in fear, says the JVP MP

The Jana Aragala Movement (Movement for People’s Struggle) organised the protest following two of its disappeared in Jaffna, last week.

Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganathan were in Jaffna to help relatives of the missing in their search for the loved ones.

Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has said that they were not missing and may be produced before a court, according to Ajith Kumara, MP, one of the organisers.

'Live in fear'

"We organised protests in many parts of the country demanding their release and continued it today in Jaffna," he told BBC Sandeshaya.

I have been travelling to the north at least three times recently but even as an MP, I am not allowed to move freely by the military   Ajith Kumara, MP

R Weeraraj, the father of the missing rights activist was also among the protesters.

The protest in Jaffna that called to end disappearances was held despite disruptions by the military, added the JVP MP.

He accused the Sri Lanka security forces in Jaffna of not allowing even a people’s representative to move freely in the city known as the cultural heartland of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

"I have been travelling to the north at least three times recently but even as an MP, I am not allowed to move freely by the military. Even at this moment of time, the security forces have stopped me saying they need to check my vehicle," he said.

He stressed that the civilians in Jaffna still live in fear, despite the armed conflict with the Tamil tigers ended more than two years ago.