The European Union (EU) Delegation in Sri Lanka has expressed concern about the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in the arrests of several activists.
The EU Delegation expressed concern about recent arrests using the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
“We refer to the information provided to the International Community by the Government of Sri Lanka regarding the de facto moratorium on the use of the PTA,” it added.
The EU’s statement follows the arrest of several activists, some of whom are being held under the PTA.
Previously, Wasantha Mudalige, Hashan Jeewantha, and Ven. Galwewa Siridamma Thera, Convener of the Inter-University Student’s Federation (IUSF), were arrested following a protest march in Colombo on August 18th.
Following the arrest, the police stated that police teams investigating acts of violence during public protests on May 9th and subsequent days discovered that IUSF convener Wasantha Mudalige’s actions may be related to those incidents.
They also stated that the IGP has directed police teams to investigate whether there is any link between the three detained individuals and any acts of terrorism.
