Minister urges calm ahead of hartal in North, East

Colombo, August 17 (Daily Mirror) - Cabinet Media Spokesman, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa appealed to the people of the Northern and Eastern Provinces not to be misled by what he described as distortions and false propaganda aimed at the government and the security forces.

His remarks come on the eve of a hartal scheduled for tomorrow (18), following the death of a man who allegedly attempted to forcefully enter the Shivanagar army camp in Mullaitivu, which is set to be evacuated.

“Investigations are underway into this matter. Three members of the military have already been arrested and produced before courts. It appears that certain political groups are attempting to create unrest by distorting the facts and spreading false information. Therefore, the people of the country should understand the facts and behave peacefully," Minister Jayatissa said.

The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) had earlier called for a hartal in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, protesting the alleged killing of 32-year-old Edirmanasingam Kabilraj, whose body was discovered in the Muttaiyankattu Tank on August 9.

Both the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) have declared their support for the hartal organised by the ITAK.