Court acquits 21 former student activists from a 2010 protest case

23 June 2023 08:23 pm - 6 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Colombo High Court today acquitted 21 former university student activists from 29 charges including unlawful assembly, causing injuries to police officers and charges under the Public Property Act, following a demonstration held in Colombo on October 14, 2010.

The Inter University Students' Federation organised this protest outside the Ministry of Education demanding the release of a group of student activists attached to the Peradeniya University, who were imprisoned for booing the then Minister of Higher Education S.B. Dissanayake on a campus visit.

Several journalists who were covering the protest were also brutally attacked by the police and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) had called for immediate disciplinary action against the police officers who assaulted a group of journalists covering the students' protest. Police arrested 21 university students including then convenor of the Inter University Students' Federation Udul Premarathne.

Subsequently, they were indicted by the Attorney General before the Colombo High Court. Taking into account the insufficient evidence against the accused, High Court Judge Damith Thotawatta decided to acquit them from all charges.

Counsel Newman Henry, Asanka Dissanayaka and Darshana Kuruppu appeared for the accused. The five journalists injured were Pradeep Dilrukshan from the Daily Mirror, Bingun Menaka Gamage of Lankadeepa, Sandaruwan Yatikinda of Neth FM, Chamila Karunaratna from Rivira and Subramaniyam Gunaratnam from Sirasa TV. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)

Comments - 6

Cugan Friday, 23 June 2023 08:47 PM

Wow happned in 2010 now....there wasn't judgement yet but court decided......

joshua Friday, 23 June 2023 09:13 PM

students must be grandfathers by the time AG wakes up.

Justice Friday, 23 June 2023 10:07 PM

It has taken 23 years to conclude this Case ?

Bandu Abey Saturday, 24 June 2023 09:39 AM

As usual Lankan system is so inefficient that made the politician keep the innocent protesters under stress for 13 years! To make a responsible and accountable constitution or change the existing rag would take half a century. Really, it has been nearly a half a century, since current Rag(stitution), which caused so much damage to the society became the constitution to fulfill one man's idiocy.

Romal Pieris Saturday, 24 June 2023 09:57 AM

Our justice system needs a over haul. The lawyers treat their client as money printing machines. Keep asking for dates and dates and keep sending invoices. The biggest robbers and no other professional will be allow to treat their customers like this. The government should take action to stop this mafia dragging cases for years on end.

Tissa Fernando Saturday, 24 June 2023 06:36 PM

2010 protest case verdict is given in 2023. 13 years of lawyers making money. Judges and lawyers are making money in the name of justice. I recommend young people to study law and become a lawyer, you will have enough cases for the rest of your life which will earn you tax free money.

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Court acquits 21 former student activists from a 2010 protest case

Comments - 6

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