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| Protest in Kilinochchi today condemning government decision to detain books authored by Tamil writer Theepachelvan. |
Protests were staged in Jaffna and Kilinochchi today (April 26) to condemn Sri Lanka Customs' decision to detain books authored by Tamil writer Theepachelvan.
At least 50 copies of ‘I Am Waging a War with Words’ and 80 copies of ‘Even Now There Are Two States’ are currently being held by Sri Lanka Customs following an instruction given by the Defense Ministry, the Northeastern Monitor learns.
Published in Tamil Nadu, the books were detained by Sri Lanka Customs for several weeks.
Theepachelvan claimed that books were detained because of his Tamil identity and the themes covered, particularly during the wartime period.
The writer, Theepachelvan, lodged a complaint with authorities, including the Human Rights Commission, to allow his books to be released this week.
The move was condemned by Southern based academics, intellectuals and artists who alleged that move threatened the freedom of speech in the country and asked whether Tamil writers are not entitled for freedom of speech compared to their Southern colleagues. (Northeastern Monitor/ April 26/2026)
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