Hartal held in the North against Anti-Terrorism Bill

A hartal organised in protest against the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill crippled services throughout the Northern Province today (25).

The hartal was called by Tamil political parties and civil society organisations in the province demanding that the government withdraw the controversial bill, which is due to be tabled in Parliament. 

Bus unions, teacher unions and traders' associations in the province all took part in today's hartal, and this resulted in severe disruptions to most day-to-day activities in the region. 

About 70% of shops in the Vavuniya district were closed. Some shops however, functioned as normal, though very few students attended school.

More than 90% of shops in the Mannar district were closed today while no private buses were on the roads. School activities were also severely disrupted. 

The situation was the same in the districts of Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Jaffna. Nearly all shops were closed, as well as government offices. Schools too were mostly deserted. 

Meanwhile, protests were also held against the proposed bill by several organisations in the North. 

By Romesh Madushanka