Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka (JDS) says the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) has summoned leading Northern journalist & rights defender, Kanapathipillai Kumanan, for an inquiry.
In a post on ‘X’, JDS said that Kanapathipillai Kumanan has been informed to appear before the CTID Sub-station in Alampil, Mullaithivu, on 17th August.
The summons, shared by JDS, says that Kanapathipillai Kumanan has been called to record a statement, but does not imply the incident.
Commenting on the matter, former Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission, Ambika Satkunanathan, said the TID summoning Kanapathipillai Kumanan is the latest in harassment and intimidation spanning many years.
In a post on ‘X’, she said that the TID/CID and military intelligence call him often, demanding information, and over the years have warned/threatened him, by summoning him for inquiry, visiting his home and following him.
She pointed out that Kumanan is also not the only one being subject to such summons, phone calls and visits, adding that many civil society orgs, activists, former combatants, persons detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) years ago and families of disappeared continue to face this.
“The fact it continues isn’t surprising because security apparatus grew in formal and informal ways during the Rajapaksa regime, wasn’t dismantled during Yahapalana and functions now as it did then,” she said.
Ambika Satkunanathan warned that unless the incumbent government issues specific instructions to them to stop such harassment, it will continue. (Islandnews)
