The FSP statement reads,
This is to inform you of the disappearance of two leaders of the movement for people’s struggle and the Frontline Socialist party. This disappearance has occurred just before the launch of the new party formed by the movement for people’s struggle – named the frontline socialist party, which is to be inaugurated on next Monday; 09th April 2012.
Clearly, these disappearances are aimed at undermining the establishment of the new party, with a view to abduct its leadership and terrorizing its members, supporters and sympathizers.
Com. Kumar had guided the process of forming the new party. He had been under close surveillance by the state for years. He had been abducted and disappeared after leaving the home of a friend where he had spent the night at Kiribathgoda on 6th April 2012.
Com. Dimuthu Atygalle is the secretary of the international division of the movement for people’s struggle and a responsible member of the frontline socialist party. She was abducted and disappeared at Godagama on 6th April 2012 when she was on her way home.
We hold the state and the government responsible for these abductions and disappearances and demand that they be released immediately, or be prosecuted legally. The people’s struggle movement had been under sustained intimidation by the regime, highlighted by the abduction of comrades Lalith Weeraraj and Kugan Murugandan over which we have filed a habeas corpus plea in the appeal court. As with these two comrades, and given the history of violations of human rights of the regime, including extra-judicial killing, we fear for the lives of these comrades who are being detained illegally.
In the context of the decisive struggle to defend democracy and freedom, we urge all social forces and institutions concerned about human rights to appeal for accountability by the government for the disappearance of Com. Kumar Gunaratnam and Dimuthu Atygalle.
SLM