-By LeN Political Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -18.Aug.2025, 7.45 PM) The much-publicised hartal in Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern provinces, called in protest over the death of a youth in Mullaitivu’s Muththayankattu area, has largely collapsed into a damp squib, exposing the limits of political mobilisation in the region.
Although several Tamil political groups, including the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi, had urged the public to join the shutdown, government institutions and schools in the North functioned as normal. Public servants reported to work, classes went ahead, and transport networks continued largely uninterrupted.
A handful of trade associations voiced support, yet many others openly distanced themselves, refusing to disrupt livelihoods for what they described as a thinly veiled political stunt.
In Batticaloa, a number of shops and private establishments did remain closed, particularly in Tamil-dominated areas such as Cheddipalayam, Arayampathi, Valachchenai and Kokkatticholai. By contrast, Muslim-majority towns kept businesses open as usual, further underscoring the uneven reception to the call.Muslims not supported the Hartal , backed the NPP Government’s decision to boycott the Hartal .
While the closures caused some inconvenience to daily life, road traffic and public transport moved without incident. Security forces were deployed in key towns, but there were no major reports of unrest.
The hartal, billed by organisers as a show of solidarity and defiance, has instead highlighted political fatigue in the region. Far from paralysing the North and East, it fizzled into a partial protest observed by a few, ignored by many, and quietly forgotten by most.
The controversy came in the wake of a sensitive security incident in Mullaitivu. As part of an ongoing programme to relocate army camps, the 12th Sinha Regiment camp at Muththayankattu, Oddusuddan, was recently vacated.
According to the government, five civilians had unlawfully entered the camp premises. In the process of removing them, one man drowned in the nearby Muththayankattu tank.
Opposition groups allege that the deceased was assaulted prior to his death. In response to the accusation, one soldier has already been arrested, with two more subsequently taken into custody. Three soldiers are now remanded pending further investigations.
Minister Jayatissa insisted that attempts are being made to “distort the facts” and portray the incident as a deliberate military killing in order to inflame public opinion.
“These efforts to weaponise tragedy for political gain are deeply irresponsible. We ask the people to act calmly and peacefully, and not to be manipulated by those who thrive on conflict,” he said.
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by (2025-08-18 14:27:09)
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