Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) Parliamentarian Sivagnanam Shritharan joined a protest in Jaffna today (27) opposing the removal of a statue of former LTTE member Thileepan from behind the Nallur Temple.
The statue was removed by police this morning after being erected at the site in recent days amid attempts by certain groups to commemorate Thileepan, who died in 1987 while staging a fast unto death.
Several civil society groups participated in the protest, expressing opposition to the removal of the statue.
Police said the matter concerning the erection of the statue would be reported to the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court.
Responding to an inquiry by Ada Derana, police said permission had been granted for the monument to remain at the location only until yesterday (26), and that it was removed after the permitted period expired.
Police also said legal provisions under the Prevention of Terrorism Act apply to the construction of monuments or commemorations involving LTTE leaders.
