Suppression of dissent in Sri Lanka from Jan 1 – Mar 31 Three killed, 70 incidents, over 100 arrested and 15 mass protests attacked – Int’l study report reveals

By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

Three persons were killed, more than 100 individuals and student activists had been arrested with 15 major political and student protests were attacked by police and over 70 incidents of suppression of dissent were reported in the first quarter of 2023, according to an international study report released yesterday.

A study report published by Sri Lanka Brief, an association sharing news, views and analysis on human and democratic rights of Sri Lanka has documented incidents that took place during the period of January 1 to March 31.   

According to ‘Briefing Notes; Banned, Assaulted and Arrested – Report Card: Suppression of Dissent Sri Lanka – January – March 2023’, three persons were killed when police and security forces attacked two different mass protests held in Town Hall by National People’s Power (NPP) and outside Colombo University by the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) respectively on February 26 and March 7.    Over dozens of protesters have been injured in these attacks launched by the police and the security forces using tear gas and water cannon.   
More than 15 leading political and student protest marches and demonstrations were attacked by the police in Colombo and its suburbs including several protests held in Jaffna organized by family members of the enforced disappearances.   

These include the silent protest attacked in Maradana on February 3, two Bhikkhu protests attacked on February 15 and 22 and the peaceful demonstration held in Mirihana to mark the first year anniversary of the Aragalaya on May 31.   

According to Briefing Notes report card, over 100 persons consisted of student activists, political party supporters, civilian and civil society activists both in the South and North have been taken into custody either in individual instances or in large groups.   

60 students of IUSF had been arrested at a non-violent protest sit-in outside the Education Ministry, 18 civilian activists of disappeared victims were arrested in a Jaffna protest during the President’s visit to open a cultural centre.   

Some of the notable characters who were arrested were former IUSF Convener Wasantha Mudalige, Activist Sepal Amarasinghe, Trade Union Leaders Ananda Palitha and Sanjeewa Dammika, Youtuber Darshana Handungoda, Activist Velan Swamigal and Activist Thambirasa Selvarani of the victims of enforced disappearances.   
Amongst the notable incidents that took place were introducing a Singapore style bill to counter social media on January 6, The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s banning of Galle Face Green for protesters on February 3 and passing a Parliamentary resolution against a television journalist from Siyatha TV.