For Alleged Election Rule Violation, Released on Bail
Sri Lankan police arrested Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, leader of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF), outside a shop in Nelliady, Jaffna, accusing him of breaching election regulations. Video footage shows a police officer confronting Ponnambalam in Sinhala. According to Ponnambalam, he was merely waiting for a shop owner while TNPF members distributed leaflets nearby. He stated, “I had no election materials on me, nor was I soliciting votes,” dismissing claims of election regulation violations.
Ponnambalam was taken to the local police station but later released on bail. His detention disrupted three scheduled meetings, a pattern he said reflects continued harassment against Tamil politicians. This arrest follows previous incidents, including the detention of former TNPF parliamentarian Selvarajah Kajendren last month, and Ponnambalam’s own arrest in Colombo last year, which drew international condemnation. Ponnambalam expressed frustration, stating, “It’s clear this government’s attitude toward Tamils seeking their rights remains unchanged.”
