Wasantha Mudalige: Latest News

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court is expected to deliver its ruling on bail for Wasantha Mudalige, the convener of the Inter-University Student's Federation. Wasantha Mudalige, the convener of the Inter-University Student's Federation, was escorted to the Colombo Chief Magistrate' Court on Tuesday (31) morning.Mudalige was arrested under the provisions of the Prevention of Terorrism Act, and remains in remand custody pending advice from the Attorney General. Activists from the Inter-University Student's Federation engaged in a silent protest opposite the Colombo Chief Magistrate' Court when IUSF Convener Wasantha Mudalige was escorted to the court. The Keselwatte Police had sought an order from court to prevent the silent protest from continuing, citing that it inconvenienced the public. However, Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis rejected the request and advised the police to act as per the powers vested with Sri Lanka Police if the protest was in fact an inconvenience to the public.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – 12,000 affidavits signed seeking the release of Wasantha Mudalige, the convener of the Inter-University Student's Federation who remains in remand custody under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, were handed over to the Attorney General on Monday (30).Student activists from the Inter-University Student's Federation along with activists from Mass Organizations visited the Attorney General's Department on Monday (30) morning to hand over 12,000 affidavits that were signed seeking the release of Wasantha MudaligeThese 12,000 affidavits claim that the signees were also engaged in the public protests that took place since March 2022 to bring about change by ending a corrupt and inefficient governance that burdened the people with a failed economy.The signees also claim they were involved in the protests that took place on the 9th of July 2022.They also note that the Inter-University Student's Federation was just one organization among many that took part in those protests, and that Wasantha Mudalige is just one student leader who took part in the demonstrations.These 12,000 affidavits claim that they too should be treated in the same manner as Wasantha Mudalige.The group attempted to hand over these affidavits from the back entrance to the Attorney General's Department, however, those attempts were futile.Thereafter, two representatives were allowed to enter the Attorney General's Department and the affidavits were taken inside the using a Police Jeep."If Wasantha Mudalige is a terrorist for his involvement in the Aragalaya, then the millions who joined the protests are also terrorists.

The Sri Lankan government should immediately end the arbitrary detention of Wasantha Mudalige, a student activist who was arrested on August 18, 2022, seven human rights organizations said on Monday (16).This statement was issued by Amnesty International, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), CIVICUS, Frontline Defenders, Human Rights Watch, International Working Group on Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice.Since August 21, Mudalige, 29, has been held on orders signed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), a draconian law that the government has long promised to repeal, said a statement.A hearing on Mudalige’s bail application has been scheduled for Hulftsdorp Magistrates Court on January 17, 2023. Under the PTA, the court does not usually grant bail if the Attorney General's Department, acting on the government’s behalf, opposes it.The Sri Lankan government detained Mudalige as part of its crackdown since an economic crisis in 2022 sparked largely peaceful protests demanding governance reform and action against alleged official corruption.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Convenor of the Inter University Students Federation Wasantha Mudalige who was placed under remand custody after being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act addressed an open letter to the people of Sri Lanka.The letter states that the Aragalaya must be chosen to ensure the right to life, and that the student movement is ready to make any sacrifice to achieve this. In his letter, Wasantha Mudalige says that while the real terrorists roam free, the people who have been branded as terrorist languish in prison. He says that the 1st of January was his 135th day in prison after fighting for the welfare of the society and calling for economic and political change in the country. He added that there are many more people who fought for the same cause languishing in jail. He further points out that the lives of people in the middle class have collapsed due to the crisis, and says that the situation would completely wipe out a middle-class in society.Wasantha Mudalige says that the aspirations of the People's struggle have not yet been accomplished, and adds that the Ranil Rajapaksa Junta continue to act as they did before. Wasantha Mudalige further states that the government has launched a massive smear campaign to discredit the people's struggle with the intention of covering up their own failures and ineptitude. He points out that all people must unite despite such smear campaigns launched by the government. In his open letter, Wasantha Mudalige adds that this is only the begining of the Aragalaya and that the people's struggle is far from over. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Public Security Minister Tiran Alles told Parliament on Thursday (24) that investigations have uncovered that Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero and Wasantha Mudalige are Aragalaya activists inciting terror.He said that the opposition leader recently speaking in parliament had noted that there were normal aragalaya activists and terrorists during the unrest.The Minister said based on the investigations, it is clear the Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero and Wasantha Mudalige fall in to the category of aragalaya activists inciting terror, and not with the normal aragalaya activists. He said the normal argalaya activists continue dialogue even today, and they were moved out of Galle Face by the others led by Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero and Wasantha Mudalige.The Minister said investigations are ongoing and many revelations will be made in the coming days, including those who funded and accommodated the groups led by Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero and Wasantha Mudalige.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Inter-University Students Federation protested at multiple locations in Colombo on Friday (18) demanding the immediate release of student leaders Wasantha Mudalige, and Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero.A large police force had gathered at the Cinnamon Gardens Police ahead of the protests, and the Riot Police and Water Cannons were also stationed.The protest march was to start from opposite the Nelum Pokuna.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Opposition Leader has requested the country's parliament to intervene for the release of student leaders detained under the PTA.Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa speaking in Parliament on Thursday (17) raised alarm that Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero, and Wasantha Mudalige who are student leaders detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act would complete their 90-Day detention on Friday (28), are to be retained in detention via an extension of the Detention Order.He termed the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act again suprression as State Sponsored Terrorism, and requested the government end the suppression and release the detained student leaders.The opposition leader also demanded the government to disclose the alleged acts of terror committed by Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero, and Wasantha Mudalige.Leader of the House & Minister Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Amnesty International has called on Sri Lanka to drop the terror charges against student leaders who are detained for 90 days.In response to the detention for over 90 days of student leaders Wasantha Mudalige and Galwewa Siridhamma Thero, under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), Thyagi Ruwanpathirana, Amnesty International’s South Asia Regional Researcher, said “The continued targeted persecution of student leaders in Sri Lanka has a chilling effect on civil society and the right to protest. The baseless terror charges against Wasantha Mudalige and Galwewa Siridhamma Thero must be immediately dropped and any extension of the detention order must be stopped.”Thyagi Ruwanpathirana, Amnesty International’s South Asia Regional Researcher also said “The use of counterterrorism charges against protesters is excessive and disproportionate, yet they have time and again been used by the Sri Lankan authorities against critics and minorities to silence dissent.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Police once again blocked a protest organized by the Aragalaya (struggle) activists.The police stopped a group of activists who arrived at Galleface Green to celebrate the 9th of November as the "Day of the Aragalaya" But despite police obstacles, the crowd lit lamps in remembrance of the struggle. However, when they were in the middle of a reglious event to remember those in the Aragalaya police officers were seen shoving the activists and moving them our of the pavement on Galle Face Green.Police suggested the activists move to the road located between Galle Face Green and the Galle Face Hotel, however the activists refused to do so and this led to a heated situation.Activists were protesting against the use of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act, and demanded the immediate release of student activists Wasantha Mudalige and Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero who were detained under the PTA and are being held for 90-days.