Protest Held Against Arrest of Spoken-Word Singer Sankeerthan
07-Jun-2026.
A large protest involving significant numbers of young men and women was held in Kilinochchi on June 6 condemning the arrest of spoken-word artist Sankeerthan under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and demanding the complete repeal of the legislation.
Sankeerthan, a 24-year-old singer from Kilinochchi, is currently being held in detention at Jaffna Prison after being arrested under the PTA on allegations that he performed a song containing content linked to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Against this backdrop, a major protest demonstration and march took place in front of the old Kachcheri building in Kilinochchi. Participants demanded the release of what they described as a homeland artist detained through the use of state repression under anti-terrorism laws.
The protest, organised by the Kilinochchi District Federation of Civil Organisations under the theme "Let Us Break the Shackles on Free Expression," drew the participation of a broad cross-section of society.
Among those present were Member of Parliament Sivagnanam Shritharan of the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), former Members of Parliament, representatives of political parties, social activists, university students and relatives of forcibly disappeared persons.
Participants expressed strong opposition to the Prevention of Terrorism Act and carried placards bearing slogans such as:
"Is Singing Now Terrorism? Release the Motherland Artist Immediately!"
"Is It a Crime to Sing and Write About Tamil Suffering?"
"Repeal the PTA That Strangles the Voice of Democracy!"
"Stop State Repression Carried Out in the Name of the Law!"
"Are Tamils Forbidden from Raising Their Voice for Rights? Where Is Democracy?"
"Break the Chains Silencing Free Expression!"
Protesters also displayed banners carrying messages including:
"Why Is Freedom of Expression Denied Only to Tamils?"
"Do Not Silence Tamil Voices by Shackling Words"
"Why Is Art Being Imprisoned?"
"Is the State Afraid of the Pen and the Singing Voice?"
The demonstration proceeded with participants carrying placards and chanting slogans in an emotionally charged display of protest against the arrest and against the continued application of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
