Tamils protest over "humiliation"

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 15 June 1999, 10:10 GMT]
"Tamil passengers on the Kalmunai-Colombo trunk road, are being separated from others at three check points and asked to give their names and addresses to security forces stationed there. This is a humiliating for the Tamil people. This should be stopped forthwith," states a memorandum submitted to the Kalmunai Unit of the government funded Human Rights Commission (HRC) of Sri Lanka by the passengers.

Tamil passengers who travel through Maha Oya are asked to get down at Pathiyathalawa, Maha Oya and Meepura Sri Lank Army (SLA) checkpoints and are interrogated, said the memorandum.

"Passengers from other communities are not subjected to this check. This is considered as an act of violation of human rights of the Tamil community," the memorandum to the HRC said further.

Meanwhile the police checkpoint at Uthayapuram on the Kalmunai-Colombo trunk road has been strengthened said police sources.

Security measurers have been tightened in the Ampara town, the sources added.

However the Police checkpoint at Uhana has been removed they said.