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9 May victims claim to be re-victimised by Government

24 May 2022

  • Cite foreign travel bans imposed on certain ‘GotaGoGama’ protestors
  • Plaintiff priest cites human rights violation   
BY Dinitha Rathnayake  The Government is re-victimising the victims of the attacks by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) supporters on the protest sites of “MynaGoGama” in front of Temple Trees in Kollupitiya and “GotaGoGama” in Galle Face and the Galle Face Green, claimed peaceful anti-Government protestors at “GotaGoGama”. Speaking to The Morning, Reverend Amila Jeewantha Peiris, who is an active member of the “GotaGoGama” said that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had sought and obtained a court order against some of the protestors barring them from travelling abroad. “Me and six other plaintiffs who supported the peaceful protest were banned from travelling abroad and were ordered to hand over our passports to the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court immediately following an order issued in this regard,” he stated.  This order has been issued for further investigations into the complaint lodged by Rev. Peiris and other parties regarding the attack on the peaceful protest site at Galle Face on 9 May. “Clearly, this is intimidation to show what happens to those who challenge the Government and the politicians. We lodged a complaint against the ministers who were involved in this attack, but the CID has summoned us. This is a total human rights violation and the first time ever to ban the foreign travel of victims.” Peiris said that the lawyers are taking necessary action against the order. Meanwhile, The Morning exclusively reported that protestors at the “GotaGoGama” sites in Minuwangoda and Kurunegala have alleged that attempts are being made to intimidate peaceful protestors on the instructions of Minister of Urban Development and Housing and Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga, and former Minister of Highways and former Chief Government Whip and incumbent MP Johnston Fernando. Speaking to The Morning on 18 May, protestors at the “GotaGoGama” site in Minuwangoda claimed that SLPP supporters were attempting to provoke protestors at the site.


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