Counsels to file FRs against detention of IUSF activists under PTA  

Wasantha Mudalige 

• Attorney Bopage labels detentions as an ‘injustice’ 
• Says detention under PTA clear act of repression
• Adds President must also be arrested for aiding and abetting terrorism 

The legal counsels of Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF) Convenor Wasantha Mudalige and two others are set to file three fundamental rights petitions before the Supreme Court today against their detention under the PTA. 

Mudalige, Activist Hashantha Jeewantha Gunathilake and Ven. Galwewa Siridhamma Thera were arrested on 18 August following a protest in Colombo. They were later detained for a period of 90 days under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act. 

Attorney-at-Law Nuwan Bopage said that the petitions are being submitted in the hope of obtaining some relief from the courts on behalf of the three activists. “This is a clear attempt to repress them. Attempts by lawyers and families to meet them are also being blocked by the authorities. Therefore, we intend to submit these petitions seeking some form of relief from the court’s system,” he said. 

Bopage labelled the recent spate of arrests of those involved in a citizen’s struggle as an ‘injustice’. 

“They have been arrested under the PTA without any evidence of carrying out any terrorist activities. They were initially held for 24 hours without any access to legal counsel.

“Thereafter they were moved to a detention centre in Tangalle in a clear attempt to make it cumbersome for the attorneys and their family members to meet them due to the distance involved,” he noted. 

“They are not terrorists. They protested and engaged in the Galle Face citizen’s struggle publicly. If joining the struggle was an act of terrorism, then around five million Sri Lankans should be named as terrorists,” he pointed out. 

“The current President instructed officials to provide necessary facilities to the Galle Face struggle after his appointment as Prime Minister. Then he too should be arrested for aiding and abetting terrorism,” he added. 

A team of counsels were able to meet Mudalige yesterday at the Tangalle Detention Centre. However, they were unable to gain access to Activists Hashantha Jeewantha Gunathilake, and Ven. Galwewa Siridhamma Thera as they had been transported to Colombo for interrogation.