Drop terror charges against student leaders detained for 90 days – AI
The convener of the Inter-University Student Union Wasantha Mudali and Galwewa Siridhamma Thero, who are detained under detention orders, will complete 90 days tomorrow. But, the opposition leader said in the parliament that there is doubt that there is an attempt to extend the detention period for another 90 days, and he questions what they did wrong to detain them under the PTA. There is a state of panic today in the public, in the legal field, and in the political background of the opposition party as to what may happen to the two actors in the coming days.
Amnesty International (AI) says that the baseless terror charges against Wasantha Mudalige & Galwewa Siridhamma Thero must be immediately dropped & any extension of the detention order must be stopped.
“Actually, when we observe this carefully, what kind of system Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Minister of Police are implementing with the act called PTA, we as people in this country feel very ashamed. Because we feel that the Buddhist leaders of this Buddhist country are so cruel? So unrighteous.” told Mojo News one social activist who wanted to be anonymous.
Today, at the Parliament Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, who stated that he calls the brutal violence being carried out against Wasantha Mudalige and Siridhamma Thero under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, State Terrorism, emphasized that it should be stopped immediately.
“By tomorrow, Wasantha and Siridhamma Himi will complete their 90th day of detention. We came to know that it is going to be extended further. I would like to make a very kind request to you to please stop the violence and brutality being carried out under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and take steps to release them.” made this request by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa at the Parliament addressing the Speaker.
“Would you please reveal to this assembly what the terrorist act committed by Vasantha Mudali and Siridhamma Himi?” Sajith Premadasa also requested.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International also issued a statement saying that the baseless terror charges against Wasantha Mudali and Galvewa Siridhamma Thero should be dropped immediately and the extension of the detention orders should be stopped.
Amnesty International states that the detention of protesters under anti-terrorism charges is a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly guaranteed by the Constitution of Sri Lanka and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
According to international human rights law, anti-terrorism laws should not be used to treat people who organize or participate in peaceful assemblies as criminals and measures should be taken to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Link for the statement of Amnesty International :
