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Vedda Chief to meet Prez for IUSF Convenor

12 Sep 2022

By Buddhika Samaraweera   Vedda Chief Uruwarige Wannila Aththo is to meet President Ranil Wickremesinghe to request the release of Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) activists including its Convenor Wasantha Mudalige, who are currently being detained by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA), taking into account a request made by the “aragalaya” activists. Speaking to The Morning, Wannila Aththo said that although certain groups that had joined the “aragalaya” in its final stage had engaged in acts such as damaging public and private property, the majority of those involved in the struggle were doing so for the wellbeing of the country and the people. He said that Mudalige was one of those who fought for the people, and added that detaining him for months is a serious injustice. “Mudalige's mother belongs to the Uruwarige generation. I am the leader of about 500,000 Veddas in the country. I have been closely watching what is happening to Mudalige. He and other two activists are detained on false charges. Mudalige and others were speaking up for the people. Even Wickremesinghe was able to become the President as a result of that struggle. If not for the struggle, both the current President and Prime Minister would not have been appointed.” he said. Speaking further, the Vedda Chief said that although it is fair enough for the relevant agencies to record a statement or something from Mudalige and other activists if needed, it is not at all fair for them to be detained and questioned for months. Therefore, he said, he hopes to meet Wickremesinghe and make a request to release Mudalige and other IUSF activists who have been arrested in an unfair manner. He also said that the Government should take steps to release all other activists who have been arrested in an unfair manner as well. Wannila Aththo has decided to meet the President, and make the request following a request made from him by activists of the “GotaGoGama” public protest site which demanded the resignation of then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and was later known as the “RanilGoGama” which demanded the resignation of Wickremesinghe. Speaking to The Morning, “GotaGoGama” activist, Jean Nathanielsz said that she and some other activists had visited the Vedda Chief in Dambana on 8 September to request him intervene to release activists, particularly Mudalige, who have been arrested by the Police unfairly. During the meeting with Wannila Aththo, she said that the former had agreed to come to Colombo, and request the President to release Mudalige and others. “Given that Mudalige has some links to the Uruwarige generation, we thought of meeting Wannila Aththo. We explained to him that Mudalige and other activists are in danger. We met one of Mudalige's brothers too. After listening to us, Wannila Aththo told us that as soon as he is done with some work related to a few cultural events, he would come and meet the President. We know that his intervention will definitely have some positive impact.” added Nathanielsz, who is also known as “Aunty Jean”. The IUSF had organised a massive protest in Colombo on 18 August against President Wickremesinghe and the Government. During that protest, a total of 16 university students were arrested, and then released on bail after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. However, IUSF Convenor Mudalige and two other activists including Ven. Galwewa Siridhamma Thera and Hashan Jeewantha are currently being interrogated by the CID on a 90-day detention order signed by Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Defence.  


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