Sri Lanka: Further information: Harassed priests granted fellowship abroad: Father Elil Rajendram
Since being summoned for questioning by the Sri Lankan police for hosting a memorial for the war dead, Father Elil Rajendran was successful in securing a court order directing the police not to question him further. In terms of his personal safety, he now has respite from harassment and is out of the country on a short-term Fellowship.
Further information on UA: 116/17 Index: ASA 37/6780/2017 Sri Lanka Date: 8 August 2017
URGENT ACTION
HARASSED PRIEST GRANTED FELLOWSHIP ABROAD
Since being summoned for questioning by the Sri Lankan police for hosting a memorial
for the war dead, Father Elil Rajendran was successful in securing a court order directing
the police not to question him further. In terms of his personal safety, he now has respite
from harassment and is out of the country on a short-term Fellowship.
Father Elil Rajendram, a Jesuit priest based in Mullaitivu in Northern Sri Lanka, has been the subject of repeated
police inquiries and harassment for his efforts to help families memorialize their loved ones lost during the Sri
Lankan armed conflict. He was summoned multiple times in May 2017 for questioning by the Sri Lankan police
regarding his role in hosting a memorial for the war dead. As a result of several weeks of surveillance and
harassment, there were fears for his safety.
While police investigations of others suspected of involvement in the case were allowed to continue, Father Elil
Rajendran was successful in securing a court order on 31 May 2017 directing the police not to question him further.
His lawyer has filed a revision appeal in the Vavuniya High Courts. The next Court hearing of the appeal is 9
th
August. He is now safely out of the country on a short-term Fellowship which will allow him to recover from the
harassment he received.
Father Elil Rajendran has expressed is thanks to the Amnesty International members who took action on his
behalf. International pressure helped raise the profile of his situation and the Sri Lankan Human Rights
Commission was able to highlight in court their concerns on issues of freedom of expression and the right to
memorialisation.
No further action is requested from the UA network. Many thanks to all who sent appeals.
This is the first update of UA 116/17. Further information: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa37/6341/2017/en/
Name: Father Elil Rajendram
Gender m/f: Male
Further information on UA: 116/17 Index: ASA 37/6780/2017 Issue Date: 8 August 2017