Protest Held Against Removal of Thileepan Statue

29-Sep-2026

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An awareness protest was held in all eight districts on 28 September 2026 at 2.00 p.m., organised by the North-East Association of Families of the Disappeared, condemning the removal by the police of the statue of Thileepan at the memorial site in Nallur, Jaffna, and demanding that the statue be immediately reinstalled at its proper location.

Relatives of forcibly disappeared persons, politicians, religious leaders and representatives of civil society participated in the protests. They expressed their opposition by raising slogans and carrying placards against the government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the police.

Jaffna

A protest was held in front of the Thileepan memorial in Nallur, Jaffna. The protest, led by Ilangothai, Jaffna District Chairperson of the Association of Relatives of the Forcibly Disappeared in the North and East, saw participants carrying placards and raising slogans such as “Thileepan, a symbol of non-violence”, “No statues for the Sinhala forces in the North and East” and “Do not erase history through the use of power”.

Kilinochchi

A protest was held in Kilinochchi under the leadership of Kanakarajini, Chairperson of the Association of Relatives of the Forcibly Disappeared in the North and East. The protesters gathered near the Kandhasamy Temple and proceeded in a procession to the Kilinochchi Kachcheri, demanding the reinstallation of Thileepan’s statue. They subsequently staged a protest by standing along one side of the road and raising slogans expressing their condemnation and opposition.

Mannar

In Mannar, relatives of forcibly disappeared persons gathered near the memorial of Father S. J. V. Chelvanayakam and expressed their opposition to the removal of Thileepan’s statue. They also urged the government to respect sacrifice carried out through non-violent means.

Vavuniya

In Vavuniya, relatives of forcibly disappeared persons and representatives of political and civil society organisations gathered at the Pongu Tamil memorial and proceeded in a procession up to the old bus stand, where they conducted an awareness protest. They warned against removing Thileepan’s statue and playing with the sentiments of the Tamil people.

Mullaitivu

In Mullaitivu District, relatives of forcibly disappeared persons gathered at Mankulam and expressed their opposition. Political representatives, including Ravikaran, and representatives of civil society organisations also participated in the protest.

Trincomalee

In the Trincomalee District, a protest was held with a small gathering near the Sivan Temple. Relatives of disappeared persons participated prominently in the protest.

Ampara

In Ampara District, protesters gathered near the Thambiluvil Central Market and proceeded from there to the Thirukkovil clock tower, where they expressed their opposition. They also demanded that Thileepan’s statue be reinstalled.

Batticaloa

An awareness protest was held at Gandhi Park in Batticaloa, organised by the district branch of the Association of Relatives of the Forcibly Disappeared, condemning the removal of Thileepan’s statue.

Members of Parliament, including Srineesan and Srinath, political figures, representatives of the District Association of Relatives of the Forcibly Disappeared, members of the public, civil society activists and religious dignitaries participated in the protest and called for the statue to be reinstalled at its proper location.