By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

A lawyer appearing on behalf of two undergraduates who became active participants in the “GotaGoGama” protests yesterday filed two Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court challenging the legality of the detention order issued against them under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).   Attorney-at-law Manjula Balasooriya has filed these petitions on behalf of Ven Welwewa Siridhamma and Hashan Jeewantha Gunathilake, the undergraduates of University of Sri Jayawardenepura and University of Kelaniya respectively.  

The Petitioner states thousands of citizens and groups including Inter University Students’ Federation had been actively participating in several protests and demonstrations which formed part of the wider ‘Gota Go Home’ movement.  

The petitioner is seeking a declaration that the arrest and detention of two undergraduates are unlawful.  
Through this application, the petitioner is challenging the legality of the arrest and detention of the detainees under the Detention Orders issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Defence.  
The petitioner is further seeking an interim order to produce the detainees before a  Magistrate’s Court in terms of the law.  

The Petitioner states thousands of citizens and groups including Inter University Students’ Federation had been actively participating in several protests and demonstrations which formed part of the wider ‘Gota Go Home’ movement.  The petitioner is seeking a declaration that the arrest and detention of two undergraduates are unlawful.  Through this application, the petitioner is challenging the legality of the arrest and detention of the detainees under the Detention Orders issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Defence.