Description

Pathum Kerner, a social media activist who claimed to have introduced #GotaGoHome hashtag was arrested on 28htJuly 2022 by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD). The Colombo Crimes division arrested him accusing him of using social media to gather people to Polduwa junction near parliament, and leading people to break the barricades near parliament causing clashes between protesters and security forces during a protest held on 13th July 2022. An army soldier and a Police officer have been assaulted by the protesters, and a firearm has been stolen according to the Sri Lankan army. The firearm said to be stolen was later found in the nearby Diyawannawa lake by navy divers. 42 protesters were injured on the day. Following an arrest order issued by the Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela, Pathum Kerner surrendered to the Colombo Crime Division of Police. Kerner has worked as a lieutenant at the Sri Lankan Army medical corps from 2007 to 2010.