Sri Lanka's Terrorism Investigation Division has begun probing claims that the banned LTTE was promoted during a September 12 SLPP rally in Anuradhapura, following a complaint from civil society activists about remarks made by a Jaffna MP.
The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) has initiated an investigation into allegations that statements made at an SLPP political rally in Anuradhapura on September 12 amounted to promoting the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The inquiry was launched following a directive from Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya, according to reporting from The Island and NewsWire, after civil society activists filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department.
The focal point of the investigation centres on remarks delivered by Jaffna District MP Dr Ramanathan Archchuna during his address at the rally held at the Anuradhapura Municipal Council Grounds. Archchuna reportedly referred to himself as a "Tiger" while making a political comparison involving President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The TID is tasked with determining whether such statements violate laws prohibiting the promotion or support of a proscribed organisation.
The rally drew attendance from several opposition figures, including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, former ministers and other MPs. The LTTE has remained a banned organisation in Sri Lanka. Investigators are expected to examine the specific language used during the event to establish whether legal thresholds for prohibited conduct have been crossed.