World · Sri Lanka Bureau
Former councillor questioned over plan to erect TELO leaders statue
Authorities in Jaffna have questioned a former municipal official regarding an alleged attempt to construct a memorial statue honouring two founding members of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization. The Terrorism Investigation Division sought details about the funding sources for the proposed monument.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) detained a former member of the Valvettithurai Urban Council for approximately three hours at its Jaffna office this week, according to sources familiar with the matter. The questioning centred on an alleged initiative to erect a statue commemorating Kuttimani and Thangathurai, prominent figures in the founding of TELO.
During the interrogation, investigators focused specifically on the financial arrangements for the proposed monument, pressing the former councillor on the origin of funds intended for the project. The line of inquiry suggests authorities were investigating whether the funding source raised concerns under current counter-terrorism provisions.
Kandasamy Satheesh, identified as the individual questioned, was released following the session. No charges have been formally announced in connection with the investigation. The incident reflects ongoing sensitivities surrounding public memorials dedicated to figures associated with armed Tamil militant movements active during Sri Lanka's civil conflict.