Wasantha Mudalige released from remand custody

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

After spending five months in incarceration, Convener of Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Wasantha Mudalige was released yesterday from remand custody after fulfilling bail conditions in respect of three court cases before Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.  

On Tuesday (31), Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis ordered to release Wasantha Mudalige from the main case relating to alleged offences committed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).   

Police had filed three cases against Wasantha Mudalige for allegedly violating a court order while engaged in protests at Colombo on May 19, committing a number of offences during a protest at Police Headquarters on June 20 and obstructing roads during a protest held on July 9. Mudalige was ordered to be released on two sureties of Rs.500,000 in respect of each case. He was ordered to refrain from committing similar offences. Meanwhile, Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage observed that bail could be cancelled if he was found violating bail conditions.   

Wasantha Mudalige was arrested on 18th of August, 2022 under the PTA for 90 days under a Detention Order issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Defence.