A chargesheet has been filed against the former President and Secretary of the Jaffna University Students’ Union in the Colombo High Court. The Colombo High Court has ordered that the evidence in the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court be verified.
On May 3, 2019, the Army conducted a massive raid on the Jaffna University campus and hostels. In it, the military found a picture of LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran and some genocide-related banners from the Jaffna University Student Union room. Subsequently, Jaffna University Student Union President M. Divakaran and Secretary S. Babilraj were arrested by the Army and handed over to the Kopay Police.
An army source submitted a written document to the police asking them to take action against them under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The two students were brought to the Jaffna magistrate’s residence that night. The two students were charged under four sections, namely the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the Emergency Law, the provisions under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Charter for International Civil and Political Rights.
Both students were then placed on explanatory leave.
An appeal was filed in the Jaffna High Court against the order of the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court dismissing the application dismissing the case against the President and Secretary of the Jaffna University Student Union.
The two students were released on bail on May 16, 13 days after the Attorney General instructed Kopay police to withdraw charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which can only be granted bail by the Court of Appeal on four counts.
About 30 months after the incident, a chargesheet has been filed against them in the Colombo High Court.