Crackdown on video sharers is akin to shooting messenger - Additional Magistrate

The Colombo Additional Magistrate questioned how the arrest and request to remand individuals who shared videos related to recent Maaveerar Naal commemorations can be justified without first investigating those who created and uploaded the videos.

The Magistrate observed that this approach is akin to "shooting the messenger."

Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Ratnayake made these remarks while granting bail to Renuka Perera, the Administrative Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, who was arrested by the CID for allegedly spreading false information regarding the Maaveerar Naal commemorations.

The suspect was released on two sureties of one million rupees each, as ordered by the Additional Magistrate.

The Magistrate further directed the CID to investigate those who organized the commemorations and to arrest and produce them in court.

The CID informed the court that the suspect was arrested in connection with sharing video clips of celebrations held in Australia via Facebook and that no such celebrations had occurred in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province.

The defence counsel argued that the Minister of Public Security had admitted in Parliament that Maaveerar Naal celebrations had taken place in the Northern Province this year.

Defence Counsel further informed that the Minister had stated there were 244 such celebrations and 10 instances where the LTTE flag was displayed.

After considering the arguments from both sides, the Additional Magistrate inquired whether the CID had investigated the individuals who created and initially posted the video shared by the suspect.

The investigating officers responded that no such investigation had been conducted.

Further magisterial inquiry fixed for June 10.