Aragalaya’s leading activists have been subjected to threats and intimidation by the government police and military. Arrest activists are being arrested and their phones are being tapped and surveillance is also taking place.
Lawyer Nuwanpopake, Rev. Amila Jeevanta Peiris, IUSV coordinator Vasantha Mudalike, former organizer Lagiruweerasekara and many others have faced threats from the government.
Security forces have been following these activists, intercepting their phone conversations, and there have been allegations that security forces are threatening those who try to support them.
Yesterday, the independent journalist and IUSV activist was arrested by six people believed to be Verangapuspika Police and taken away in a blue jeep.
Members of the Kota Ko Kama protest group said that while he was traveling in a bus after participating in the demonstration held at the Colombo Fort railway area, he was arrested by people not wearing uniform who came in a vehicle with the number plate GC 0342.
Members of several trade unions and civil society organizations have complained to the Human Rights Commission yesterday about the continued arrest of activists who participated in public demonstrations calling for the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa and now for the resignation of Ranilwickramasinghe.
Meanwhile, while the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission conducted inquiries with the Sri Lankan Police, it was confirmed that Puspika was arrested by the Colombo South DCPT. A team of Human Rights Commission will visit the DCPT.
However, when morning contacted the Kirulapanai police station where the DCPT is located, the police said that they did not detain such a person.
When the police media spokesperson was contacted about this, he said that he was not aware of such an arrest until yesterday afternoon.
It has been reported that a police team went to the Catholic Church in Iratnapuri in search of the Christian priest Reverend Jeevantapirisa, the main activist of Arakalaya.
The police team said that they have received an order to arrest the Reverend on sight.
However, when Morning contacted the Ratnapura police, they denied this.
After the recent tension, many of the empty-headed protesters have faced threats from the military and protesters say there are measures to prevent them from rebuilding the protest area.
We are engaged in reorganizing operations to rebuild the demonstration area. Many tents have been damaged in the attack by the army, police and special forces, but the demonstrators are not allowed to take things to the tents.