Data collected from the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka reveals that approximately 71,140 acres of land belonging to 16,245 families have been acquired through seven mechanisms implemented by the Sri Lankan government. These include land acquisitions under the Forest Department, designations as Buddhist Sacred Land (Pooja Bhoomi), and militarization, among others.
In response, a two-day training program on “Land Rights and Investigative Journalism” was organized by AHRC in collaboration with UNOPS and with financial support from the Australian Government, provided through the Vriddhi Network as part of the “Land Back Initiative” project. The training, held on December 14 and 15, 2024, brought together prominent journalists from Trincomalee, Batticaloa, and Ampara districts. It aimed to raise awareness and strengthen reporting on land rights and related issues.
However, incidents of surveillance, intimidation, and questioning of participants were reported both during and after the program:
• On December 13, 2024, a journalist from the Ampara district who planned to attend the training was contacted by an investigator based in Batticaloa. The investigator questioned the journalist about the program and demanded photographs of the workshop activities.
• Similarly, during the training, a journalist from Muthur, Trincomalee was interrogated by three officers from Military Intelligence, Naval Intelligence, and Police Intelligence.
• On December 16, 2024, at 5:30 PM, an investigator named Sanju visited the home of an individual in Thirukkovil, Ampara district. He posed probing questions such as:
o “What is your connection with the AHRC organization?”
o “What is investigative journalism?”
o “Did they teach intelligence-related topics in the training?”
o “Are you aware that the AHRC is organizing a training on land documents in the Thirukkovil area tomorrow?”
o “Have you been invited to that event?”
The pattern of intimidation extended beyond journalists to human rights defenders and activists:
1. On December 4, 2024, Ms.Navarathinam Anjalidevi, a 61-year-old activist from Trincomalee, was questioned under the Counter Terrorism Investigation Division (CTID)
2. On the evening of December 14, 2024, human rights activist Father Luke was attacked while traveling to attend a Christmas carol service in Kilinochchi. A person claiming to be an “independent journalist” from Murikandi, Kilinochchi, carried out the attack and allegedly attempted to kill him. A complaint regarding the incident has been filed with the Kilinochchi Police.
3. These incidents highlight the continued harassment, surveillance, and targeting of marginalized communities, activists, and journalists. Despite the recent change in government following the election, the mechanisms and strategies employed by state departments, including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)and Counter Terrorism Investigation Division (CTID).remain largely unchanged. The persistence of such tactics reflects systemic challenges that further marginalize vulnerable communities and impede the exercise of democratic freedoms.