The hartal scheduled for today (18) in the Northern and Eastern provinces demanding justice for the death of a youth in Mullaitivu, along with several other Tamil political grievances, drew a mixed response.
Although the protest was called by multiple Tamil political groups, including the Ilangai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), most government institutions and schools in the Northern Province functioned as usual. Vehicular traffic too proceeded without disruption.
In the Eastern Province, however, the impact was more visible. Several shops, markets, and private institutions in Batticaloa district—including Batticaloa, Chengaladi, Ariyampathi, Valachchenai, and Kokkatticholairemained closed. Shops in Muslim-majority areas stayed open as usual.
Security was tightened with army and police deployment in areas where the hartal was observed.
ITAK Batticaloa District MP Shanakyan Rasamanickam said the hartal was led by leaders of three Tamil and three Muslim parties, aiming to highlight unresolved issues including the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), the holding of provincial council elections, and land disputes. He said residents in the North and East continued to suffer under military control of lands and agricultural activities, which caused economic hardship.
He also referred to the 7 August incident in Oddusuddan, Mullaitivu, where 32-year-old Edirmanasingam Kabilraj allegedly died at the hands of the army. Rasamanickam said his party had raised the issue with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake but broader grievances of the Tamil community remained unaddressed.
Upcountry People’s Front Leader V. Radha Krishnan claimed that the hartal would paralyze administrative and commercial activity across the two provinces with the support of local trade unions. While several Tamil parties pledged solidarity, many trade associations opted not to participate, resulting in only partial disruption.
