News
May 9 violence and protests: 4000 arrested
View(s):By Kasun Warakapitiya
More than 4,000 persons have so far been arrested by the police and most are suspects in the May 9 violence, the Sunday Times learns. Among them, nearly 1,500 are in remand custody.
Nearly 3,800 were arrested following the violent attack on May 9, while about 200 were arrested and nearly 80 remanded after July 22, 2022.
The most recent arrest was on Wednesday, when actress Damitha Abeyartne was taken in. Pic by Akila Jayawardana
The most recent arrest was on Wednesday, September 7, when actress Damitha Abeyartne was taken in after a protesting against Government suppression.
The police said she had been charged with forcibly entering the presidential secretariat during anti-government protests.
Nuwan Bopage who appears for some of those detained told the Sunday Times that the police are making sure that suspects are remanded at least for a day. When suspects are produced before magistrates, the police request an identification parade. As a result, magistrates need to remand the suspects at least for a week to allow preparations for an identification parade, he said.
“People are mostly charged with trespass. Apart from that, charges are filed under the Public Property Act, and it is difficult to get bail,” he said.
He said about two million people had entered the state buildings, but that those who protested at the Galle Face green are being arrested.
Key figures in the aragalaya, such as Inter University Student Federation (IUSF) convener, Wasantha Mudalige, Hasantha Jeewa Gunathilake, and Ven Galwewa Siridhamma Thera were arrested and detained for 90 days Under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Three fundamental refights applications have been filed in court against the arrests and the cases are to be taken up on September 19.
The police media spokesman, SSP Nihal Thalduwa said protests caused a public disturbance.
While there is a right to protest, these should be peaceful and should not hinder day to day activities of people, he said.
“Suspects are arrested according to the individual offences that they had committed; some of the arrests are made under the charges such as trespassing, theft, unlawful gathering and damaging state property,” he said.
Suspects involved in vandalism and illegal activities would be charged along with people who came to visit important state offices after the protest.
Many arrests were made following tipoffs by people who had seen the photos released by the police, he said.
Mr Thalduwa said people have the right and the freedom to protest under the constitution but not the freedom to be violent.
“The protesters assaulted our officers, broke gates and damaged property. They cannot blame us for taking action. The police officer who was involved in Rambukkana (shooting death) is still remanded. If police officers have broken the law, the law would be implemented against them as well,” he said.
IUSF acting convener Terans Rodrigo told the Sunday Times that the protesters as well as the people are being suppressed as the Government which is trying to show that there are no more economic or social hardships.
“They are trying to show that the economic problems are being solved by reducing the use and need of (various) items. Because there is no political or economic stability they don’t want people to rise up against them. The economic situation is worsening but they don’t want the real picture to be revealed. So they suppress people under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
He said protests will continue.
“Our convener (Wasantha Mudalige) and other IUSF leaders who were directing the protest were arrested under the PTA. We have planned more protests to get our student leaders released.’’
Meanwhile the National Organiser for Youth for change, Lahiru Weeraskeara who was arrested on Friday was granted bail yesterday.
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