The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has announced its full support for the hartal organized by the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) on Monday (18), calling it a peaceful protest demanding justice and accountability over the recent death of a 32-year-old man in Mullaitivu.
“We are outraged by the recent killing in Mullaitivu, reportedly carried out by members of the Sri Lankan Army. This brutal act is yet another reminder of the deep crisis of law and order within the very forces that are tasked with protecting the public,” SLMC Secretary MP Nizam Kariapper said in a statement today.
He charged that the government’s failure or unwillingness to hold the armed forces accountable for such grave crimes has eroded public trust and endangered the lives of innocent civilians.
“Equally disturbing is the government’s attitude in granting visa-free entry to tourists from Israel, many of whom are members of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), a force widely condemned for violations of International Humanitarian Law in Gaza,” he added.
The SLMC said such policies send the wrong signal at a time “when our own citizens are facing violence and injustice at the hands of armed forces.”
Expressing solidarity with ITAK’s call, the SLMC urged Muslims across the North and East to join the hartal by closing their shops and businesses at least during the morning hours of Monday (18).
“This united action will send a clear and powerful message that all communities, Tamil and Muslim alike, reject violence, oppose injustice, and will not remain silent when the government enables or excuses the abuse of power,” the statement read.
