UNP MP Jayalath Jayawardena, an active campaigner for the rights of Tamil refugees in the Vanni, has received death threats. In January, the International Commission of Jurists expressed concern in a letter to Parliament Speaker KB Ratnayake over the threats to Mr Jayawardena. According to reports, former head of Rupawahini TV Corporation and LTTE campaigner, M Vasantharajah has gone into hiding following threats on his life. His wife says that their home in Mt Lavinia is under constant surveillance by unidentified persons.
In the past two months, other outspoken Tamil activists have received threats by telephone and letters, some signed in blood. Activists who have fled the island told the Sri Lanka Monitor that there is an attempt to silence people who speak out about Tamil rights. Sri Lankan observers are concerned over this development and emphasize the importance of achieving peace within the next few years. They fear that the sweeping culture of violence will overwhelm the country, endangering rights, freedoms and democratic traditions of the island.