Two fmr. JVP Provincial Councillors arrested for staging protests

Mahinda Jayasinghe is being arrested
By Nimal edirisinghe

• Duminda Nagamuwa and five others sent for quarantine in Pallekele

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

The police yesterday arrested several suspects including two former JVP councillors, Propaganda Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party and the National Organiser of the all Ceylon Farmers’ Federation for violating quarantine laws, a day after the Director General of Health Services informed the IGP that holding public gatherings and protests should not be allowed until further notice.   

Police Spokesman SDIG Ajith Rohana said that All Ceylon Farmers’ Federation National Organiser Namal Karunaratne and former JVP Provincial Councilor Samantha Vidyarathna were arrested for organising farmers’ protest on July 1 over the fertiliser crisis in violation of quarantine laws.   

He said five men including Namal Karunaratne and Samantha Vidyarathna surrendered to the Bogahakumbura Police last morning.   

They were subsequently arrested and were later released on bail after being produced before the Welimada Magistrate’s Court.   

Also, the Propaganda Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party Duminda Nagamuwa and five others have been arrested by the Police for organising a protest at Ramanayake Mawatha in Slave Island violating quarantine order yesterday.   
SDIG Rohana said the Director General of Health Services on Monday informed the IGP that holding public gatherings and protests should not be allowed until further notice as there is a potential risk of COVID spread by engaging in such activities.   

Accordingly, they were arrested last morning and were released on Rs.200,000 personal bail by the Fort Magistrate.   

However, the PHI in the area directed the six persons including Nagamuwa to be sent for quarantine at the Pallekele Quarantine centre for 14 days.   

In addition, former JVP Provincial Councillor Mahinda Jayasinghe and another have also been arrested by the Pamunugama Police yesterday for staging a protest violating court orders and quarantine rules. 

 
The Spokesman said the suspects have acted contrary to the order issued by the Welisara Magistrate’s Court.   
He said a special police team has been deployed to arrest another group of protesters.