The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urgently called on Sri Lankan authorities to cease their alleged harassment of renowned photojournalist Kanapathipillai Kumanan. This appeal was made following the release of a police notice indicating that Kumanan was summoned by the counter-terrorism police for questioning related to his work documenting mass grave excavations in northern Sri Lanka.

Kumanan’s recent projects, which involve capturing images over 41 days at mass grave sites where more than 140 skeletal remains were uncovered, have brought international attention to the ongoing ethnic tensions and historical injustices in the region. His photographic documentation sheds light on the graves at Chemmani and Kokkuthodvai, areas heavily impacted by the brutal civil war between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which lasted from 1983 to 2009.

Beh Lih Yi, CPJ’s Regional Director for Asia-Pacific, criticized the Sri Lankan police’s action, stating, “Using counter-terrorism powers to target journalists over their legitimate reporting is an abuse of police authority and a violation of press freedom.” Yi emphasized the necessity for journalists to operate without fear of retaliation, urging the immediate withdrawal of the summons against Kumanan.

The situation highlights broader issues within Sri Lanka, including systemic discrimination against the Tamil minority, who constitute about 15% of the population. Kumanan, himself an ethnic Tamil, has previously faced multiple instances of intimidation and violence in response to his reporting. His experiences reflect the challenges faced by Tamil journalists, who often report under the threat of harassment by security forces and government authorities.

In response to the latest summons, several Tamil lawmakers have condemned the move as an attempt to intimidate and silence free press. The international community, alongside local rights groups, continues to watch closely, advocating for the cessation of journalist harassment and the protection of minority rights in Sri Lanka.

Kumanan is scheduled to appear before the Alampil Counter Terrorism and Investigation Division (CTID) on August 17. Details regarding the nature of the inquiry remain undisclosed, as local police representatives have not responded to inquiries for further information.

As the situation develops, CPJ and other advocacy groups persist in their call for Sri Lanka to demonstrate a genuine commitment to press freedom and minority protection. Only through such measures can journalists like Kumanan continue their essential work without fear.