The convener of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF), Wasantha Mudalige, was today further remanded till January 17 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly committing offences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Mudalige was detained under the PTA for 90 days under a Detention Order issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Defence.
Colombo Additional Magistrate Tharanga Mahawatta made this order following the Attorney General’s decision not to grant bail to Wasantha Mudalige at this stage.
The prosecutors conducting investigations into the magisterial inquiry against the convener of Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF), Wasantha Mudalige, informed the court that YouTube content creator Samantha Piyumal Samarasinghe alias “Motivation Appachchi” has given a statement to the police regarding the violent aspect of Aragalaya.
Senior Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris, appearing for the Terrorism Investigation Department (TID), said Motivation Appachchi, a prominent figure at the Aragalaya site, had given a statement saying the peaceful Aragalaya got violent due to violence-prone elements such as the Frontline Socialist Party and the Inter-University Students’ Federation.
During the Aragalaya period, however, news outlets reported that Motivation Appachchi was chased out of the Galle Face protest site by a group of protestors following allegations of financial misappropriation.
Meanwhile, Dileepa Peiris further said the Chairman of the Private Bus Owners’ Association, Gemunu Wijeratne, had also stated to police that Wasantha Mudalige had asked for buses to transport protesters during the Aragalaya time.
Peiris stated that the investigations are being conducted to ascertain whether there is a terrorist aspect to the violent acts that occurred during the Aragalaya. He further said the Attorney General would not consent to Mudalige’s release at this stage.
President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris, appearing for Wasantha Mudalige, told the court that the prosecution had failed to gather evidence to the effect that the suspect had committed offences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He moved the court to exercise its discretionary powers to release the suspect on bail since there is no substantial evidence to charge him under PTA.
Saliya Pieris further said that police should also have questioned and charged those who are currently holding top positions under PTA for backing the Aragalaya movement from the beginning.
