The Socialist People’s Forum has condemned the National People’s Power government after several literary works by Tamil writer Pradeepan Deepachelvan were withheld by Sri Lanka Customs for weeks.
In a statement, the Forum said the incident exposed two flaws in the state apparatus. It argued that even administrations with progressive rhetoric continue to defend “racist and supremacist foundations,” pointing out that judgement of whether Tamil-language writings are suitable for circulation still rests with the Ministry of Culture and Customs.
The Forum said most of the withheld works had not been read by officials, questioning how unread books could be deemed capable of disrupting peace, inciting nationalism or obstructing national unity. It accused the government of treating Tamil authorship itself as a security threat, “aided by mercenary writers” who legitimise the practice.
The statement also criticised writers and intellectuals who publicly champion freedom of expression but, according to the Forum, have stayed silent on the case. “These low acts confirm divisions among communities by a government that came to power claiming to stand for the people’s full freedom,” the Forum said, urging civil society to remain vigilant.
The critique adds a new front to the government’s handling of Tamil political demands, following recent accountability discussions with a visiting Finnish MP and engagements with Tamil political leaders during the Indian Vice President’s visit.
