The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) for the Jaffna District has written to the Jaffna Municipal Council, instructing it to immediately remove the unauthorised structures at the Thileepan Memorial, located in the Nallur area of Jaffna.
The memorial has been established on Nallur Back Road, land belonging to a temple, in remembrance of Thileepan, who died following a hunger strike.
The land in question has reportedly been leased to the Jaffna Municipal Council on a long-term basis. However, the Deputy DIG stated in his letter that the memorial structures had been erected without obtaining the necessary approval from the Municipal Council.
He further claimed that the structure could evoke memories of the war among the public and undermine reconciliation between ethnic communities. Citing these concerns, he instructed the Municipal Council to demolish and remove the structures immediately.