Description

19 people were arrested by Sri Lanka Police on 18th August during a protest held in Colombo, demanding the resignation of the government, ending Executive Presidency system, accountability on cases of corruption, relief measures against rising cost of living, reopening universities and to stop the repression against the protesters. They were arrested by multiple Police stations (Cinnamon Gardens, Slave Island, Borella) in Colombo, and the Kelaniya Crimes Division. While 16 of the suspects were released on a personal bail of Rs. 500,000 each by the Colombo Additional Magistrate's Court on the same day, three suspects Convener of Inter-University Student Federation Wasantha Mudalige, Convener of the Inter University Bhikku Federation Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero, and student activist attached to the Kelaniya University Students’ Union, Bhashantha Jeewantha Gunathilake were not granted bail. They were later detained under the prevention of Terrorism Act. An overseas travel ban was issued against actor Jehan Appuhamy who managed to escape the Police custody when Police arrested the protesters. During the court hearing, the Police accused the protestors of assaulting police officers and obstructing their duties, though the defense lawyers appeared on bealf protesters held such accusations were fabricated. Videos of the protest published by the media showed evidence contrary to the claims of the Police. When the protest was about to begin, Police made an announcement asking protesters to disperse, and not to be a part of an illegal gathering. While the protest was ongoing, hundreds of Police officers walked from the opposite side of the protest march, with batons, and water canons, and attacked the protesters with water, and tear gas, and assaulted them with batons, and arrested them. They also chased after running protesters.

Several days later Police stated that the Inspector General of Police instructed to hand over the investigation to the Criminal Investigation Department of Police to investigate whether detained student activists are involved in any anti-government or terrorist activities. Police obtained detention orders under PTA to detain them for 90-days, and they were moved to Tangalle Central Detention Center, in Tangalle, Southern Province from Colombo

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