5 Arrested for Protesting Land Dispute in Front of Jaffna Tissa Viharaya

 Five individuals arrested by the police following a heated situation that arose during a protest held in front of the Tissa Rajamaha Viharaya in Kankesanthurai, Jaffna, have been released on personal bail of one hundred thousand rupees each after being produced before the court.

The protest was organized by a group including Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi party Member of Parliament S. Sridharan, demanding the return of lands belonging to the said temple to the civilian population. During the protest, a clash erupted between the police and the protestors when the latter attempted to forcibly enter the temple premises.

The police stated that despite Palaly Police obtaining a prior court order preventing 29 individuals from holding the protest, based on information received about the planned demonstration, the group proceeded disregarding the order.

The Police Media Division confirmed that among those arrested for behaving violently and obstructing police duty were local political representatives as well as a Hindu priest named Velan Swami.

The suspects were released on bail after being produced before the Jaffna Mallakam Magistrate's Court. It is reported that protest programs have been held at this location on several previous occasions, demanding the cessation of construction at the temple and the release of private lands.