Jaffna Mayor arrested for promoting LTTE and its ideology: Police

• It was disclosed that the uniforms worn by the five men were similar to the ones worn by the de facto LTTE cops during the war
• Five men attached to the Jaffna Municipal Council, were deployed in Jaffna town

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya and Romesh Madushanka   

The Mayor of Jaffna Municipal Council Visvalingam Manivannan was arrested yesterday morning by the Jaffna Police for allowing five men to wear uniforms similar to the de facto LTTE policemen, the Police said.   

Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said the Mayor was arrested in terms of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), according to the gazette notification published on August 11, 2011.   
Five men attached to the Jaffna Municipal Council, were deployed in Jaffna town to perform police duties, he said.   
“The Jaffna Police were alerted about the five men and their outfit. The Jaffna Police and Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) conducted investigations into this. It was disclosed that the uniforms worn by the five men were similar to the ones worn by the de facto LTTE cops during the war,” he said.   

Jaffna Police and the TID recorded statements from the Municipal Commissioner and the five men.   
It is understood that the Jaffna Mayor granted permission to recruit these men with the so-called uniforms.   
According to the PTA, promoting LTTE or its ideology is prohibited.   

The TID and Jaffna Police are conducting further investigations. 

• It is understood that the Jaffna Mayor granted permission to recruit these men with the so-called uniforms