6th February 2023, Colombo, Sri Lanka:
The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is deeply concerned by the excessive use of force, arbitrary actions and the blatant disregard for due process in arresting peaceful demonstrators on the eve and on the day of the 75th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka, which was on the 4th of February 2023. Media reports evidenced the manner in which peaceful protesters engaged in a ‘satyagraha’, a form of peaceful protests, were met with force and arrested, while they voiced legitimate concerns regarding the waste of public resources amidst the dire economic crisis in the country. Compounding this was the denial of access to their lawyers upon arrest.
Download the full statement in English here.
Download the full statement in Tamil here.
The statement will be made available in Tamil and Sinhalese shortly.