Sri Lankans including singers freed from Kuwait Police

• Two members of the organising committee are still in police custody

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

A group of Sri Lankan artists including Indrachapa Liyanage and Samanalee Fonseka who were among 26 Sri Lankans arrested in Kuwait during a musical show, have been released.

 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the group was released on Saturday night following intervention by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Kuwait.

It was reported that 26 Sri Lankans, including singers Indrachapa Liyanage, Samanalee Fonseka, Jolly Seeya and Upeka Nirmani, were arrested by Kuwaiti Police on Friday (02).
They had attended an event organised by the JVP-affiliated ‘Ethera Api’ Organisation.

In addition to the singers, the police also arrested the music band that performed and the event organisers. The band’s musical instruments were also taken into custody.
The arrests were made due to the unauthorised conduct of the event.

Following the intervention of Sri Lankan Embassy officials, 24 of the Sri Lankans were released last night. However, two members of the organising committee are still in 
police custody.

Meanwhile, Singers Indrachapa Liyanage and Samanalee Fonseka said we couldn’t go ahead with the show as planned due to some admin issues with the authorities.
But no worries, we’re all safe and doing well, they shared on social media.