No Meaning in Talking About Reconciliation: S. Sritharan

09-Jun-2026

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Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi Member of Parliament Sivagnanam Sritharan has stated that it is meaningless to speak of reconciliation if the government continues to use weapons and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to suppress youth expression and dissent.

He stressed that if the Anura administration genuinely wishes to ensure peace and harmony, it must first fully repeal the PTA.

Sritharan made these remarks while addressing a large protest held in Kilinochchi in support of singer Sangirthan (24), who was arrested under the PTA for allegedly performing a song linked to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and is currently detained in Jaffna Prison.

He stated that the PTA has been used for decades in a manner that has severely impacted the Tamil population and that it continues to suppress freedom of expression, including artistic and literary expression.

He further claimed that state repression remains unchanged despite changes in government, citing ongoing detentions, censorship, and alleged human rights violations. He called for the release of political prisoners and the withdrawal of PTA-based arrests.