‘LTTE flags displayed at 10 out of 244 Mahaveer commemorations’

Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala yesterday (04) told Parliament that recent investigations had uncovered credible evidence that some members of the National Democratic Front (NDF) was attempting to incite ethnic unrest. In a special statement, Minister Wijepala said that photographs from past LTTE ‘Mahaveer’ celebrations, held in other countries, had been circulated on social media to falsely portray similar events taking place in the Northern Province under the current administration.

“These actions are part of a larger campaign to create division and conflict between the North and South of the country,” the Minister alleged, highlighting the manipulative intent behind the dissemination of false information.

The Minister further accused the NDF of orchestrating the campaign, confirming that investigations had identified their involvement. He revealed that several arrests had been made in connection with the spreading of these false narratives.

Among those arrested, a suspect from Baddegama was detained on Nov. 29 for participating in the dissemination of misleading information. He has been remanded until Dec. 17. Another individual from Maradana was apprehended for sharing foreign photographs and falsely claiming they were from Jaffna; this individual was released on bail. A third suspect from Boralesgamuwa, also linked to the campaign, remains in custody.

Minister Wijepala pointed out that investigations had uncovered ties between the suspects and political activists and shed light on the orchestrated nature of the campaign. He also mentioned that some of the videos circulating on social media were from Mahaveer commemorations held abroad in the past.

The Minister said that while people had the right to hold ceremonies to

commemorate their deceased relatives,

displaying LTTE flags or logos was prohibited, as the LTTE remained a banned organisation.

According to Wijepala, out of more than 244 Mahaveer commemorations held in the North, the LTTE flags and logos had been displayed at only 10 such events.

The Minister said some of the individuals involved in spreading fake posts on social media included a defeated candidate from the New Democratic Front.

“This is an attempt to undermine the nation’s peace and unity, and we will not tolerate such divisive actions,” Minister Wijepala said.