(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –The Mayor of the Jaffna Municipal Council Manivannan Visvalingam has been arrested this morning (09) by the Jaffna police for promoting the LTTE and its ideology, police said.
Police Media Spokesman, DIG Ajith Rohana said the Mayor was arrested for aiding and abetting the promotion of the defunct terrorist organization by deploying five persons in uniform similar to those worn by so-called LTTE police officers during the war for official duties in the vicinity of Jaffna.
Further investigations have revealed that the five individuals were employed by the Jaffna Municipal Council.
Jaffna police and the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) recorded statements from the Municipal Commissioner of the Jaffna Municipal Council and several witnesses including the five men.
During the recording of statements, it has been revealed that the relevant persons have been temporarily recruited to the Municipal Council and deployed for official duties in a uniform designed by the Mayor.
Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said the Mayor was arrested in connection with offences of the Prevention under Terrorism Act (PTA).
The mayor is to be handed over to the Terrorism Investigation Division.
