◍ Introduction:
The recent brutal attack by the Sri Lankan military in the Mullaitivu district, specifically in the Muththuyainkattu region, exposes once again the deep-rooted culture of violence, oppression, and impunity exercised by the military forces against the Tamil civilian population. The horrifying incident on August 7, 2025, where five young men, including 32-year-old Kathiravel Kabilaraj, were mercilessly assaulted, with one going missing and later found dead, underscores the urgent need for accountability and justice.
This incident is not isolated but part of a wider pattern of systematic abuses by the Sri Lankan military in the Tamil homelands. The military’s unchecked power, absence of civilian oversight, and complete disregard for human rights continue to terrorize the Tamil people. Such actions starkly violate international humanitarian laws and Sri Lanka’s obligations under various human rights conventions.
✦. Detailed Account of the Incident
On the night of August 7, the 63rd Division of the Sri Lankan Army launched a violent assault on young Tamil civilians residing near the Muththuyainkattu lagoon in the Jivanagar area. Eyewitnesses reported brutal beatings and cruel treatment of these youths by heavily armed soldiers. One of the victims was forcibly taken and subsequently went missing. The local community, in their desperation, launched a search, only to find his lifeless body in the lagoon two days later on August 9.
What followed was a shocking revelation that the military had violently attacked civilians who had attempted to intervene and protect their community members. The ensuing confrontation between villagers and soldiers escalated tensions and highlighted the military’s blatant disregard for the rights and dignity of Tamil civilians.
✦. The Military’s Strategy of Intimidation and Control
This incident also lays bare the insidious method the military employs to dominate the Tamil populace: providing subsidized or discounted goods such as fuel and essential items to young people, effectively creating a patronage system that attempts to co-opt the community while maintaining an iron grip through fear and violence.
This so-called “benevolence” quickly turns into coercion, as any resistance or dissent is met with disproportionate and brutal force. The murder of Kathiravel Kabilaraj is a tragic but predictable outcome of this oppressive environment.
✦. Failure of State Institutions and the Need for Immediate Intervention
Despite repeated calls by political representatives and community leaders, there has been little tangible progress in holding the military accountable for its actions. The delay and obfuscation in conducting a transparent investigation into this atrocity reflect the complicity of law enforcement and judicial institutions in perpetuating injustice.
As the situation worsens, immediate and impartial investigations led by competent civil authorities are the only way to restore some trust. The testimonies of local witnesses must be recorded immediately and protected to prevent further intimidation.
✦. A Demand for Justice and Reconciliation
The Tamil people of Mullaitivu and across the North-East have endured decades of military occupation, disappearances, torture, and systematic discrimination. Incidents like the attack in Muththuyainkattu must serve as a wake-up call to the Sri Lankan government and the international community.
Justice delayed is justice denied. It is imperative that the perpetrators within the military ranks who carried out this brutal assault be brought to account in a court of law without delay. Failure to act decisively will only deepen grievances and obstruct any genuine prospects for lasting peace and reconciliation.
✦. Conclusion:
The recent military assault and the death of a Tamil youth in Mullaitivu stand as a stark reminder of the ongoing human rights crisis in the Tamil homeland. The Sri Lankan military must be held responsible for its repeated abuses. Only through transparent investigation, accountability, and reform can the Tamil people hope for dignity, security, and genuine reconciliation.
I call upon the international community, human rights organizations, and concerned governments to intensify pressure on the Sri Lankan state to end the culture of impunity and protect the fundamental rights of Tamil civilians.
Written by
Eelaththu Nilavan
09/08/2025
