Black Day protests in N&E marking Independence day

Despite a Court order issued under COVID-19 regulations instructing not to hold any protests, relatives of enforced missing persons in North staged a protest in Jaffna demanding justice for their loved ones who went missing in the past alleging the government failed to provide any answers.

Declaring Sri Lanka's 73rd independence day celebrations as 'Black Day', the protesters went ahead with their protest in Jaffna town. When the police read out the court order, the protesters refused to accept it on the basis that those who named in the court order were not present at the protest. 

Along with relatives of the missing persons, local politicians, public and civil society activists took part in the event.  

Police also secured another court order against the Student Union leader of University of Jaffna  not to hold any protests until February 6 citing COVID-19 regulations. 

Similar protests were also held in Mannar, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Kilinochchi by the relatives of missing persons as low key events.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) organized a protest march in the Jaffna town area under the theme of 'One Country, One Nation' marking the 73rd independence day today. 

Jaffna police did not move to court to obtain a court order under COVID19 regulations for the SLFP rally which saw over 200 persons taking part in the event.  SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara took part in the event held in front of Jaffna Public Library. (Pix by N.Lohathayalan) 

SLFP rally in Jaffna