Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam says the hartal called by the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) today, over the controversial death of a youth in Mullaitivu, was a resounding success. 

In a post on ‘X’, MP Shanakiyan said, a decision was taken to limit the hartal to 12 pm today, following assurances given by the government on the matter. 

“Following yesterday’s press briefing by the Cabinet Spokesperson, and based on assurances given regarding the investigation and steps being taken towards the removal of army camps, we decided to limit the hartal until 12 pm,” he said. 

MP Shanakiyan further condemned the actions of NPP members in the North and East who have reportedly threatened shop owners to keep their businesses open or face legal consequences.

“Such intimidation is a clear violation of the people’s democratic right to protest,” MP Shanakiyan added. 

The hartal was organized by the ITAK after the death of 32-year-old Edirmanasingam Kabilraj, who reportedly entered an Army camp in Oddusuddan and was later found dead in the Muttaiyankattu Tank. 

Three Army personnel have been arrested and produced in court, though the Sri Lanka Army has denied involvement. (Newswire)

The post Shanakiyan blames NPP for threatening shop owners in North & East appeared first on Newswire.

Several shops in Jaffna town remained open today despite a hartal underway in the Northern and Eastern provinces to protest the controversial death of a youth in Mullaitivu.

Shops in many areas across the two provinces, however, were closed in line with the hartal organized by the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK). ITAK claimed the hartal was a success, while the government insisted it had failed.

The protest comes after the death of 32-year-old Edirmanasingam Kabilraj, who reportedly entered an Army camp in Oddusuddan and was later found dead in the Muttaiyankattu Tank. Three Army personnel have been arrested and produced in court, though the Sri Lanka Army has denied involvement.

The hartal, which began this morning, has been backed by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), and Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC). These parties have raised concerns over what they described as the oppressive conduct and excessive presence of the military in the North and East. (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

The post ITAK claims hartal successful; Govt dismisses shutdown appeared first on Newswire.

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:

The post Hartal Underway in the North and East of Sri Lanka appeared first on Newswire.

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has extended its support for the Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchi’s (ITAK) hartal to be held in the Northern and Eastern provinces on Monday (18), to protest the alleged killing of a man by soldiers from the Sri Lanka Army.

The body of 32-year-old Edirmanasingam Kabilraj was found in the Muttaiyankattu Tank on 09th August, two days after he and four others were reportedly summoned to the army camp and severely beaten.

Issuing a statement in support of the hartal, the SLMC said, “We are outraged by the recent killing in Mullaitivu, reportedly carried out by members of the Sri Lankan Army. This brutal act is yet another reminder of the deep crisis of law and order within the very forces that are tasked with protecting the public.”

The SLMC further said that the government’s inability or unwillingness to hold its armed forces accountable for such grave crimes has eroded public trust and endangered the lives of innocent civilians.

The SLMC pointed out that equally disturbing is the government’s attitude in granting visa-free entry to tourists from Israel, many of whom are members of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), a force widely condemned for violations of International Humanitarian Law in Gaza. 

Such policies send the wrong signal at a time when our own citizens are facing violence and injustice at the hands of armed forces, the party said.

“We stand in full solidarity with the hartal announced by the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) on Monday, 18th, as a peaceful protest demanding justice, accountability, and the immediate end to impunity within the military. We call upon our Muslim brothers and sisters across the North and East to join this collective stand by closing their shops and businesses—at least during the morning hours of Monday, 18th,” the SLMC said. 

The party went on to note that this united action will send a clear and powerful message that all communities, Tamil and Muslim alike, reject violence, oppose injustice, and will not remain silent when the government enables or excuses the abuse of power. 

“Let us rise together in solidarity for justice in Mullaitivu for Mullativu killing and the safety of all citizens, and for a Sri Lanka where no one is above the law,” it added. (Newswire)

The post SLMC supports ITAK’s Hartal in the North & East appeared first on Newswire.

The hartal planned for Friday, 15th August, across the North and East has been postponed to Monday, 18th August, according to the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK). 

According to the ITAK, the date change follows a request from the Bishop of Mannar, who noted that a special event will be held at the Madhu Church on 15th August.

Following discussions with the Vicar General of the Mannar Diocese, organizers agreed to move the protest to avoid clashing with the church event and to coincide with the Nallur Temple festival.

Tamil National Alliance General Secretary M. A. Sumanthiran and ITAK President C. V. K. Sivagnanam urged the public to support the hartal on 18th August by closing shops and offices across the region to express opposition on key issues.

The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi had previously called for a hartal on 15th August in the Northern and Eastern provinces to protest the alleged killing of a man by soldiers from the Sri Lankan Army in Oddusuddan, Mullaitivu. 

At the time, the ITAK stated that the body of 32-year-old Edirmanasingam Kabilraj was found in the Muttaiyankattu Tank on 09th August, two days after he and four others were reportedly summoned to the army camp and severely beaten. (Newswire)

The post North & East Hartal postponed to 18th August appeared first on Newswire.

The Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), led by MP Mano Ganesan, has extended its support for the hartal to be held on 15th August in the Northern and Eastern provinces to protest the alleged killing of a man by soldiers from the Sri Lanka Army.

In a post on’X’, MP Mano Ganesan said the TPA supports ITAK’s hartal call on Aug 15th against the disturbing arrest and killing of Tamil youth Kapil Raj. 

“Questions remain: Why army arrest civilians? Why torture? Why excessive military presence in the North East provinces when there’s no war?” he added in his statement. 

The Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) called for a hartal after the body of 32-year-old Edirmanasingam Kabilraj was found in the Muthuiyankaddu Tank in Oddusuddan on 09 August.

According to the ITAK, his body was found two days after he and four others were reportedly summoned to the army camp in the area and severely beaten.

The hartal is set to take place across the Northern and Eastern provinces to protest what the ITAK described as continuing military brutality. (Newswire)

The post TPA to support Hartal in North and East appeared first on Newswire.

Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) General Secretary Jeevan Thondaman has extended his support for the hartal to be held on 15th August in the Northern and Eastern provinces to protest the alleged killing of a man by soldiers from the Sri Lanka Army.

Issuing a statement, Jeevan Thondaman said that a search was launched for 32-year-old Edirmannasingam Kabilraj, who was reported missing after being attacked by the Army on 07th August, and his body was later found in the Muthuiyankaddu Tank in Oddusuddan on 09th August. 

“I extend my support for this hartal, which calls for justice and protests the unlawful actions of the Army,” he said. 

Jeevan Thondaman further said that it is regrettable that such inhumane activities are still occurring in Sri Lanka, even though it has been 16 years since the end of the civil war. (Newswire)

The post Jeevan supports hartal in the North and East appeared first on Newswire.

A hartal is underway in the North and East to protest the government’s proposed Anti-Terrorism Act.

The hartal has been organized by several political parties, including the Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) and Tamil National Alliance (TNA), and civil organizations. 

TNA Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam stated that the hartal has been launched to protest the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act, as well as to highlight the continued state-sponsored land grab happening in the North and East. 

All businesses and schools have closed down in support of the hartal, while public transportation has also been suspended in several parts of the North and East, including Jaffna, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Mannar, and Mullaitivu. (NewsWire)

The post Hartal in North & East against proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill appeared first on Newswire.

Pics : Yaal Deepan

A hartal has been held in Jaffna today against the 75th Independence Day of Sri Lanka which was commemorated in Colombo.

Several shops were seen closed as part of the hartal which was organized by the students union of the University of Jaffna.

Meanwhile, students of the Jaffna and Batticaloa University have also organized a huge black-flag four-day long march from the Jaffna University to Batticaloa University. 

According to the Daily FT, the march will begin today from Jaffna University and will reach Batticaloa University on 7th February, where a declaration will be made highlighting the issues faced by the Tamils in the North and East.

The student-led protest march will be joined by families of the disappeared, Hindu and Christian religious leaders, Tamil Civil Society groups, Tamil women groups, Tamil trade unions, Tamil farmers and fisheries organisations, and others. (NewsWire)

The post Hartal in Jaffna against Independence Day celebrations appeared first on Newswire.