Description

Speaking at a press conference on 1st february, Inter University Student Federation (IUSF)
Convenor, Wasantha Mudalige who was detained for several months under draconian
Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), accused several Police officers of having threatened him
while he was being detained. On 18th August 2022 during a protest held at Colombo, he was
arrested, along with 19 other protesters of whom 16 were released on the same day. Three
suspects including Wasantha Mudalige the convener of Inter University Student Federation
(IUSF), Galwewa Siridhamma Thero the convener of the Inter University Bhikkhu Federation
(IUBF) Convenor, and Bhashantha Jeewantha Gunathilake, a member Kelaniya University
Students Union, were detained under PTA.25 26 Mudalige was held in detention for around 6
months until February 2023, while two others were held in detention for around three months,
and two months respectively.27 28

Mudalige alleged that Assistant Superintendent of the Police (ASP) Mahinda Willoarachchi of
the Special Unit of the Peliyagoda Police Station had made him death threats while he was
being taken to be questioned at the Enderamulla Police station. Willoarachchi has allegedly
threatened him saying that they want to murder him, even though the present situation in the
country does not allow them to do so. Mudalige also said that the police intentionally did not
allow his lawyers, family members, civil society activists and officers of Human Right
Commission to see him, and also kept threatening him continuously, while being taken to
various places without a clear purpose such as the basement of the Foreshore Police barracks
and Kaduwela Nawagamuwa Devalaya parking area etc. He said that he is planning to take
necessary legal actions on violating his fundamental rights while being held in detention.29
Mudalige also accused that ASP Lasantha Ratnayake, who is an accused in the extra-judicial
killing of underworld figure 'Army Suranga' in June 2006 and ASP Ajantha Rodrigo of the Riot
Squad were assigned to create evidence against him.30 31 Speaking at a television programme,
the Minister of Justice Wijayadasa Rajapaksha denied allegations made by Mudalige. 32