
Sri Lanka Army's Attempts to Close off Sellakilli Memorial - Foiled by People
A crisis situation in Thinneveli, Jaffna was averted after the intervention of the SLMM. The landmark memorial to Lt. Sellakilli who attained martyrdom 20 years ago at the post box junction at Thinneveli, Jaffna was the centre of crisis. In order to prevent the people from honouring Lt. Sellakilli on the 20th anniversary of his death, large sections of the Sri Lanka army including special crowd control units surrounded the memorial around 1pm on Wednesday. Soon after, further army reinforcements cordoned off the area around the memorial and set about closing off the memorial with fencing and tin sheets. Large sections of the public gathered around the area and soon became agitated at the actions of the army.
LTTE political office in Jaffna was notified of the events and they in turn informed the SLMM. SLMM officials arrived at the scene and having witnessed the proceedings promptly contacted the Army head quarters in Palaly. Following this the situation was diffused and and barricades were removed.
24 July 2003
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