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‘Aragalaya’ flags arrest of protestors at UNHRC

14 Sep 2022

  • Lawyer Nuwan Bopage pushes for UNHRC resolution on accountability for war atrocities and economic crimes
  • SJB’s Kavinda Jayawardhana notes disproportionate military spending
BY Mirudhula Thambiah   Attorney-at-Law Nuwan Bopage, who is part of the “aragalaya” (struggle), pointed out at the 51st United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session on Monday (12) that many peaceful protestors, including artists and social activists, have been arrested since new President Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed office.  Representing the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, as well as the “aragalaya”, at the UNHRC, Bopage noted that the Wickremesinghe administration has arbitrarily detained several persons, including Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) members Wasantha Mudalige, Hashan Jeewantha and Ven. Galwewa Siridhamma Thera, for their alleged involvement in the recent protests, under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act as amended (PTA), contradicting the de facto moratorium on the use of the PTA announced by the Government at the 50th session of the UNHRC. “The Government’s violent response to popular protests in the wake of the economic crisis leaves no room for any optimism about the prospects of meaningful human rights, democratic reforms, and accountability under the administration of President Wickremesinghe,” he said.  Addressing the grievances faced by the families of missing persons, Bopage added that they have faced routine harassment and intimidation as they continued an over 2,000 days long demonstration demanding to know the fate of their loved ones.  “It is imperative that the council adopts a resolution that enhances the scrutiny of the situation, and advances accountability for war-time atrocities, and economic crimes that are at the root of the current crisis,” he added.  Bopage also urged the importance of probing into the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 2019, and strengthening the existing measures to collect and preserve evidence and adopting new initiatives, such as an expert mechanism on Sri Lanka. “The disproportionate military spending amid mounting debts left little for essential goods and services including food, energy, health, and education,” he said. Meanwhile, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Opposition MP Dr. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana, addressing the UNHRC on the same day, requested the Government to make public the report of the Presidential Commission that probed the Easter Sunday attacks and to implement all recommendations contained within.  “As promised, the Government should launch an international probe into the Easter attacks, ensuring transparency and accountability,” he said.  He also pointed out at the UNHRC session that 15% of Government expenditure is allocated to the military, and that comparatively lesser amounts are allocated for education and health.  Dr. Jayawardhana also elaborated on the economic crisis, stating that Sri Lanka has faced a severe shortage of fuel, electricity, medicine and other essentials, while the Sri Lankan rupee has depreciated against the US dollar and resulted in an inflation of 70%.  “We demand transparency and accountability on corruption and economic mismanagement. The economic crisis was impacted due to tax cuts for the super rich, while the chemical fertiliser ban decreased food production. Also, this resulted in food prices increasing. Accordingly, food inflation is 80% and 5.7 million people are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance,” he said.


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