Social activist Shehan Malaka Gamage has been arrested a short while ago by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), The Morning learns.
Speaking to The Morning, Police Media Spokesperson (Attorney at Law) SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that the arrest of Gamage was made due to a statement made back in 2021 in regards to the Easter attacks.
“Gamage’s arrest was made by the CID in connection to the statement he had made about the Easter Attacks in Sri Lanka. He claims he does not know, but he knows very well,” said Thalduwa.
Meanwhile, Gamage appeared on his personal facebook account on a live video and claimed that a white van had turned up in front of him and 5 people stepped out of the van, claiming to be from the police, and had arrested him.
“I have no idea why I am being arrested. 5 people came in a white van and I am now being taken in. I am ready to face anything and I am not scared. I respect the law, and if there is any fault of mine I am ready to face it,” said Gamage before his phone was confiscated by the personnel.
Cardinal condemns Shehan Malaka’s arrest and attack on Chamuditha
Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith had vehemently condemned the arrest of activist Shehan Malaka and the attack on journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama and had expressed his concern on the two incidents, Member of the Archdiocese of Colombo Communication Committee Chairman Fr Cyril Gamini Fernando said today.
Fr. Fernando said Cardinal Ranjith had informed him to express his dismay over the two incidents.
“These incidents have taken place just before the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session to be held at the end of the month and might adversely affect Sri Lanka internationally,” he said.
He said it is sad to see someone who campaigned on behalf of Easter Sunday victims getting arrested and efforts being made to prevent media from informing the truth to the people.
“All citizens have the right to know the truth, and they get to know the truth through media. Therefore, an attack on media personnel is an effort to hide the truth,” he said.
Fr. Fernando reiterated that recommendations made by the presidential commission which probed the Easter Sunday attacks should be implemented soon. (Yohan Perera) DM