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AG: Mudalige and Sridhamma Thera had links with FSP and those who wanted to topple Govt.
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Convenor Wasantha Mudalige and fellow activist Ven. Galwewa Siridhamma Thera had maintained direct links with the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), the Attorney General’s (AG) Department informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court this week, citing police investigations.
Senior Deputy Solicitor General (SDSG) Dileepa Peiris said phone records of the suspects had confirmed they had been in frequent contact with senior FSP leaders. He also told court that the AG had objected to defence lawyers’ request that the investigations be continued under the normal law instead of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Wasantha Mudalige being led out of the Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Pic by Akila Jayawardana
The SDSG argued that the suspects had no issue with the PTA when they applied for bail and one of them, Ven. Siridhamma Thera, obtained bail under the PTA, with the Attorney General giving his consent.
SDSG Peiris said investigations were continuing to determine if local and foreign forces provided financial or other support for the suspects to topple a government in violation of the Constitution.
Claiming that Mr Mudalige had provided funds to transport those who wanted to violently overthrow the government, the SDSG said investigators were trying to determine from where the suspect received those funds.
Statements had so far been recorded from about 150 people while 38 CCTV footage clips had been sent to the Government Analyst’s Department to obtain its reports, he said.
The court was told that investigators were also due to record statements from several others, including former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the former Defence Ministry Secretary, tri-forces commanders, the Inspector General of Police, and people’s representatives who had been victimized.
Additional Magistrate Tharanga Mahawatte ordered that a report on the progress of the investigation into the suspect be submitted by January 17, 2023 and remanded Mr. Mudalige until then.
Saliya Pieris, PC, appeared for Mr Mudalige.
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