COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (News Cutter) – Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, the leader of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNF) was arrested today, June 7 in Colombo.

Ponnambalam was scheduled to present a special motion in Parliament regarding an assault on him and the continuous repression he faced.

The Kilinochchi Magistrate’s Court issued the travel ban yesterday June 6 following allegations of obstructing the duties of the Police.

Ponnambalam initially refused to receive it as he neither could read nor write in Sinhalese. Upon which the order was read aloud. 

Coming to Twitter he stated that he is expected to give a statement at Maruthenkerni Police Station today. 

The Colpetty Police just came to my house in Colombo to serve a written information to me in Sinhala. I refused to accept it as I can’t read or write Sinhala. They subsequently read it to me in Sinhala saying that all they needed to do was to inform me. (1)

— Gajen Ponnambalam MP (@GGPonnambalam) June 6, 2023

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles requested a comprehensive report on the matter from senior Police officers. 

The arrest of Ponnambalam adds to the growing concerns surrounding freedom of speech and political expression in Sri Lanka. (Lahiru Doloswala)