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Varsity monks protest against IUSF activists’ PTA detention

09 Sep 2022

BY Buddhika Samaraweera   The Inter-University Bhikkhu Federation (IUBF) held a protest last evening (8) in Colombo against repression by the Government and the detention of the activists of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF), namely, Wasantha Mudalige, Hashan Jeewantha, and Ven. Galwewa Siridhamma Thera for 90 days under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA). The protest commenced near the Federation of Self-Employees’ Market (FoSE) in Colombo Fort with the participation of a large number of participants at 3 p.m. yesterday. The protestors carried placards reading “Release Mudalige, Siridhamma, and Jeewantha”, “Abolish the PTA and other repressive laws”, “Stop abductions and imprisonments”, “Release the activists immediately”, “Abolish the Executive Presidency immediately”, and “Let’s get rid of the Ranil-Rajapaksa (a reference to President Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa) junta”. A group of them were carrying placards while the rest chanted protest songs. A group of police officers were deployed on the road in front of the Colombo Fort Railway Station, where the protestors were demonstrating. The Police announced that if those participating in the protest did not disperse, steps would be taken to disperse them under the Criminal Procedure Code. A police officer announced that measures such as arrest, detention, the application of civil force, or calling in the Armed Forces would be taken under the relevant provisions of the said code. However, when he was making the announcement, the protestors continued to chant slogans, calling on the people to come together to defeat the Government’s campaign of repression.  The protestors charged that the Government, which has no programme to overcome the prevailing crisis including the rising cost of living, is attempting to suppress the people who are raising their voices against it by using laws such as the PTA. The IUSF organised a massive protest in Colombo on 18 August against President Wickremesinghe and the Government. A total of 16 university students who were arrested during the protest were released on bail after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on 19 August, while IUSF Convenor Mudalige and two other activists are currently being interrogated by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on a 90-day detention order signed by Wickremesinghe as the Defence Minister.


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