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Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Sri Lanka: Death threats issued to journalists and Jaffna uni staff, students over May 18 remembrance

The heading of the warning
A death threat has been issued to staff and students at the University of Jaffna, as well as journalists over their attempts to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the Mullivaikal massacre despite the military banning any public events. In a flyer distributed around Jaffna today, the staff, students and journalists were given a "final warning" against those "encouraging or resurrecting terrorism".

Some individuals, including journalists who played prominent role in reporting on remembrance events held this weekend as well as the heavy military presence around political party offices and temples, have been explicitly named.

Stating that previous warnings had been ignored, the death threat said "they still do not reform, the final sentence is a death sentence. The final day has been marked for some."

"Do not take this lightly as with previous warnings. You are guaranteed to be freed from this world," it concluded, signed by the 'Nation Guarding Force' and dated May 18.

Translation:

    Final warning


   Those trying to encourage terrorism in the University of Jaffna are going to be punished.
    After terrorism had been defeated, they are attempting to grow terrorism inside the University of Jaffna.
    We have identified those treacherous forces that are making such attempts.
    In addition to identifying them, the lecturers, deans and students at Univerisity of Jaffna, we have received reports of certain media workers working alongside them.
    Despite issuing warnings to them several times they show no signs of reforming, they continue to take part in terrorist activities along side students and staff.
    This is their final warning.
    Many have been identified including Pidaathupathi Sivanathan, Teachers Union head Rasakumaaran, Students Union head Kirupa Komes [and] newspaper journalist Shalin [and] Nirojan.
    If they still do not reform, the final sentence is a death sentence.
    The final day has been marked for some.
    Do not take this lightly as with previous warnings.
    You are guaranteed to be freed from this world.

TG