Sri Lankan military intimidates Tamil protestors in Poonakari

Armed Sri Lankan soldiers surrounded and photographed a group of Tamil demonstrators in Poonakari this week, as they protested against military land grabs in the area.
Protestors gathered outside the Pallikuda naval camp as they attempted to block a group of military surveyors from acquiring land that belongs to the local church. Local villagers, joined by members of the Tamil National Alliance and Tamil National Peoples Front, blocked military vehicles from entering the area.
As the demonstrators gathered, Sri Lankan military intelligence and armed naval wing officers surrounded the group and began to photograph them.
Tamil National Peoples' Front General Secretary Selvarajah Kajendran and member of Northern Provincial Council Subramaniam Pasupathipillai were amongst the politicians who addressed the media, speaking out against the intimidation.