A political candidate in Sri Lanka’s Mullaitivu district has triggered a firestorm after distributing election campaign leaflets featuring the image of slain LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran alongside his own photograph prompting a swift police investigation and widespread public concern.
The leaflets were reportedly handed out door-to-door across the Mullaitivu East area by the candidate, who is contesting for a seat in the local Pradeshiya Sabha. The move has drawn sharp scrutiny, as authorities scrambled to contain the fallout from what is being seen as a provocative act.
Police teams have visited multiple households in the region and collected numerous copies of the controversial leaflet. Officers have also questioned several residents who were found in possession of the material and are now in the process of identifying all those involved in its distribution.
The incident was immediately flagged to the Mullaitivu Assistant Election Commissioner, and election officials have now launched a separate investigation to assess potential violations of election laws and national security protocols.
According to the Mulliyawalai Police, the candidate at the center of the controversy has been instructed to report to the local station for questioning. Authorities have warned that failure to comply will result in immediate arrest.
With tensions already high in the Northern Province, this stunt has sparked outrage and reignited debates about the legacy of the LTTE and the boundaries of political expression in post-war Sri Lanka.
