A hartal is currently underway across several areas in Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. The protest was organized by the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) in response to the controversial death of 32-year-old Edirmanasingam Kabilraj in Mullaitivu, who entered an Army camp and went missing, and was later found drowned in a nearby tank.
In a media briefing, Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa condemned the circulation of false information and distortions surrounding the incident, urging residents to remain calm and maintain peace. He confirmed that three Army personnel have been arrested and are currently in court as investigations continue.
The Sri Lankan Army has denied any involvement in the death.
The hartal, which began this morning, received support from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), and Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC), all calling for shops and businesses to close, especially during the morning hours.
ITAK, in a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, highlighted “the oppressive conduct and excessive presence of the military in the North and the East” and urged Dissanayake to “take immediate steps to remove the excessive presence of the military without delay.” (Newswire)
Hartal in North & East ended at 12 pm. ITAK calls it a success, Govt says it failed pic.twitter.com/VkWJF2Iy7o
— NewsWire 🇱🇰 (@NewsWireLK) August 18, 2025
Pictures from Batticaloa:
