Tamil MPs Condemn State Intimidation of Veteran Journalist Kumanan

August 12, 2025 – Sri Lanka –

Tamil Members of Parliament have sharply condemned Sri Lanka’s Counter-Terrorism and Investigation Division (CTID) after it summoned veteran journalist and human rights advocate Kanapathipillai Kumanan for questioning. The summons, issued in Mullaitivu for an alleged inquiry into his social media posts purportedly “promoting” the LTTE, was denounced as a clear attempt to intimidate and silence independent reporting.

Shanakiyan Rasamanickam MP expressed dismay on social media, calling Kumanan “a respected and courageous journalist” and asserting that using terrorism investigations to muzzle press freedom is unacceptable. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam MP similarly accused the government of hypocrisy, claiming it denounces past racism while continuing to harass Tamil journalists under its watch.

Kumanan, known for his fearless coverage of land grabs, disappearances, protests, and environmental destruction in Sri Lanka’s North-East, has long faced threats, surveillance, and summoning by security forces. This latest incident underscores an ongoing pattern of repression targeting Tamil journalists for simply pursuing their work.

Press freedom advocates, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), have condemned the move and called on authorities to end the harassment of media workers. The summons raises yet another alarm in a country where the press continues to operate under the shadow of state intimidation, even when reporting critical, nonviolent issues.

References –

https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/tamil-mps-slam-intimidation-veteran-journalist-summoned-ctid