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‘Aragalaya’ protestors deny receipt of Rs. 45 mn from overseas

20 Jul 2022

BY Dinitha Rathnayake  Social media activists in the “aragalaya” (struggle) protest movement at Galle Face, deny claims of having received Rs. 45 million from a foreign source. Speaking to The Morning, social media activist Dilan Senanayake charged that this “canard” was created by Government supporters to destroy the image and credibility of the “aragalaya”. “We have no involvement in such an incident, but we would take legal action against the media publications who reported this one partially.” Meanwhile, YouTuber Rathidu Suramya Senarathna, also known as “Ratta”, speaking to The Morning, said that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has not yet summoned them to collect any statements regarding the claim, adding that they are certain about the Government’s involvement so far to damage their reputation by way of character assassination. Meanwhile, social media activist Avishka Viraj Konara, speaking to The Morning, said that he has no involvement in this issue. When The Morning contacted Police Media Spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police and Attorney Nihal Thalduwa regarding this matter, he said that the CID investigation into the incident has already commenced. An investigation has been initiated by the CID regarding claims that three social media activists are alleged to have received Rs. 15 million each from a foreign source. The total amount received by the three activists, it is alleged, is Rs. 45 million. The three persons are those who are said to be key figures at the Galle Face protest, and reports claim that they had recently opened three new bank accounts at a State bank, after which, on 15 July, three of them had received Rs. 15 million each to their three accounts from a foreign depositor.  “It is also alleged that they had arrived at the bank shortly after the money had been deposited and had withdrawn the entire amount. When the bank officials had questioned them regarding the source of the money, they had allegedly threatened the bank officials, stating that they would surround the bank if they were obstructed,” reports claim.


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