The Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station, demanding the release of peaceful protesters arrested by Police on 26 June.
The protest was held under the slogan ‘Immediately Release All Protestors Held in Custody’.
Addressing the media at the protest, JVP Politburo member Sunil Handunetti said the ‘Ranil-Gota’ regime has already indebted the country and is trying to raise the cost of living.
“Because the Government has demonstrated its inability to find solutions to the current crises, our country has become helpless. This government is to blame for the calamity that our country is currently facing. Citizens have a moral right to take to the streets and protest against the leaders. When citizens or leaders of groups peacefully protest, the authorities arrest or try to repress them. As the JJB, we will fight this injustice,” he added.
As reported in Ceylon Today on 23 June, seven suspects were remanded till 1 July by the Fort Magistrate after they surrendered to Maradana Police on 22 June.
JVP politburo member Nalinda Jayatissa, MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and General Secretary of JJB Nihal Abeysinghe were also present at the protest.
BY Aloka Kasturiarachchi (Ceylon Today)
