24th August 2022, Colombo:
The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is deeply concerned by steps taken by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of Defense, to issue three detention orders under section 9 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA), permitting the detention of Wasantha Mudalige – Convener of Inter-University Students’ Federation, Hashantha Jeewantha Gunathilake and Ven. Galwewa Siridhamma Thera for a period of 90 days. This move to detain the three suspects for their alleged involvement in the recent protests is yet another example of the abuse of the PTA by the Executive, which there have been persistent calls for the repeal of for several decades. Moreover, this detention for the apparent involvement in the ‘Aragalaya’ appears to be yet another effort by the United National Party – Sri Lanka Podujana Party government to target protesters, and create a chilling effect in order to silence dissent.
Read the full statement in English here.
Read the full statement in Sinhala here.
Read the full statement in Tamil here.