Photograph: Lanka Files
Sri Lankan student leaders Wasantha Mudalige, the convener of Inter University Students’ Federation and Galwewa Siridhamma Thero, the convener of Inter University Bhikku Federation have reportedly been released on bail after being detained under the draconian Prevention Terrorism Act (PTA) for over three months.
The student leaders were detained by Sri Lanka's authorities on August 18, 2022 after the state launched a crackdown in Colombo to suppress protests that erupted earlier in the year following the collapse of Sri Lanka's economy.
According to Lanka Files, Wasantha will remain in remand custody due to a separate legal matter.
At the time of detention, Sri Lanka received global condemnation from representatives from the USA, European Union, Canada and international human rights organisations.
Sri Lanka has been criticised by the rights groups and the international community for failing to repeal the PTA which does not meet international human rights standards. Depsite promises from successive Sri Lankan governments to repeal the notorious legislation, it continues to be used to detain predominantly Tamils and Muslims on the island.