NPP’s partner Janodanaya condemns Inhumane police attack on peaceful protesters in Mannar

During this protest, the organisation describes that the police resorted to excessive force and violence in an attempt to disperse the demonstrators. Pix by Sithum Chaturanga 

• The Police used excessive force to disperse peaceful protesters demonstrating against a government-proposed wind power generation project in Mannar
• The protest was organised by citizens opposing development, which was an initiative presented as a major project for the region
• The President is engaged in ongoing discussions with the Mannar Citizens’ Committee and Catholic clergy about the wind power project

Janodanaya Movement, a partner civil rights organisation of the National People’s Power (NPP), has strongly condemned the inhuman and brutal attack carried out by the police against unarmed civilians in Mannar. A group of civilians had carried out a nearly two-month-long protest against the proposed wind power project in the area. 

On September 26, demonstrators had gathered to block convoys transporting wind turbine components into Mannar, but they had come under attack by the police. Condemning the attack, Janodanaya had issued the following statement; 

“A group of citizens in Mannar recently organised a demonstration to express their opposition to the government’s proposed wind power generation project, presented as a major development initiative for the region. During this protest, the police resorted to excessive force and violence in an attempt to disperse the demonstrators. In the organisation’s view, such conduct is deeply inhumane. It stands in clear violation of the rule of law and cannot be tolerated in a democratic society.

“Sri Lanka is a democracy. Our Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, the right to criticise government policies, and the right to engage in peaceful protest. Therefore, the use of force to break up a peaceful demonstration represents a direct violation of these constitutional rights.

“The organisation is further compelled to express concern that this incident reflects more than just misconduct. They also raise serious suspicion that certain elements within the police are deliberately attempting to obstruct the new democratic journey initiated by the National People’s Power (NPP) government. Before September 2024, the police were systematically trained under the previous regime to ruthlessly and inhumanely suppress dissent. They state that it is evident that some officers still cling to those repressive practices, despite the decisive break from such anti-people policies declared on September 21, 2024.

“The people of Mannar, who suffered greatly under the heavy hand of the security apparatus during the war, once regarded the army and the police as their enemies. Yet in 2024, they made a conscious and determined decision to move beyond that painful past. The people placed their trust and confidence in the NPP government, hoping it would address their long-standing grievances and aspirations. To unleash such violence upon them now risks not only inflicting renewed trauma but also sowing mistrust against a government they have chosen to believe in. The organisation says this raises the grave question of whether conspiratorial forces still embedded within the police are deliberately working to create division and hostility.

“The organisation therefore calls upon the Inspector General of Police to issue clear and firm instructions to all officers regarding the proper conduct expected when handling peaceful protests, particularly in the North.

“At the same time, we appeal directly to the people of Mannar that the organisation has been reliably informed that the President is engaged in constructive and ongoing discussions with the Mannar Citizens’ Committee, representatives of the Catholic clergy, and other key stakeholders regarding the proposed wind power project. These negotiations are still in progress, and protests of this nature are taking place in the midst of sincere efforts to reach an agreement.

“The organisation also wants to point out that it is important to recognise that certain selfish, opportunistic, and power-hungry forces are active in the North. Their aim is not to serve the people, but to exploit local grievances for narrow political gain by obstructing peace and development.

“In this context, the organisation earnestly urge the people of Mannar to remain vigilant, to safeguard their hard-won rights, and to ensure that their struggle is not hijacked by divisive forces working against their true interests,” Janodanaya statement adds.