SL Military Intelligence steps up surveillance on Eezham Tamils in Ampaa'rai

[TamilNet, Monday, 28 September 2015, 20:01 GMT]
The military intelligence of genocidal Sri Lanka has stepped up surveillance on Eezham Tamils, who have been advocating independent international investigations and who have been vocal against ‘domestic’ and ‘hybrid’ investigation mechanism, despite the global focus on human rights abuses in the island. The latest harassments and threats are being reported from Ampaa'rai district in the East. Tamil people who have been talking in favour of independent international investigations have been receiving anonymous telephone calls from the operatives of the SL military intelligence in Kaarai-theevu, Thirukkoayil, Thampiluvil and Paa'ndiruppu, news sources in Ampaa'rai told TamilNet.

Prior to the systematic warnings, the SL military operatives had been taking video recordings of people, who took part in a signature campaign on 12, 13 and 14 September at Thirukkoayil and at Thampiluvil.

Similar harassments have also been reported at Kaarai-theevu and Paa'ndiruppu.

A number of people who had put their signatures demanding independent international investigations have been receiving anonymous phone calls in recent days.

A section of people subjected to intimidation by anonymous callers are prepared to give eyewitness records to human rights watchdogs that are based outside the island, the sources further said.

Almost all crucial witnesses in Ampaa'rai have abstained from appearing in front of the SL presidential commissions in the past fearing military surveillance, rights activists in Ampaa'rai told TamilNet.