The plight of Kanapathipillai Kumanan, a prominent photojournalist in Sri Lanka, has come under international scrutiny following reports of harassment by authorities. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged Sri Lankan officials to cease their intimidation tactics directed at Kumanan, citing a recent summons by the counter-terrorism police as an abuse of power.
Kumanan’s extensive work documenting mass grave excavations in northern Sri Lanka has placed him at odds with the government. His revelations have shed light on grave sites in Chemmani and Kokkuthodvai, where over 140 skeletal remains were reportedly uncovered. These findings have incited friction with authorities, further exacerbating long-standing ethnic tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority in Sri Lanka.
The mass grave sites, significant both historically and politically, hark back to the devastating 26-year civil war which saw thousands of disappearances. Even after the conflict’s end in 2009, the ethnic Tamil community, which Kumanan belongs to, frequently faces systemic discrimination and suppression.
Kumanan, known for his candid reporting on human rights violations, has faced ongoing harassment from the state. Notably, he was assaulted by a police officer in 2019 while reporting at a temple, and again in 2022, he faced threats while covering forced land acquisitions by the navy.
Following the recent police summons, Tamil lawmakers condemned these actions as blatant attempts to stifle independent journalism. Kumanan is due to provide a statement at the Alampil Counter Terrorism and Investigation Division (CTID) on August 17, although the details of the inquiry remain undisclosed.
Amidst this tension, CPJ and human rights organizations call for an immediate halt to the harassment, urging the Sri Lankan government to uphold press freedom and protect minority journalists. The situation highlights a crucial opportunity for the nation to affirm its commitment to democracy and free speech, ensuring that journalists like Kumanan can continue their essential work without fear of reprisal.