Wasantha Mudalige, the convenor of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) who was in remand custody under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), has been released.

The student leader was released on the orders of Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis.

Delivering the order, the chief magistrate mentioned that the accused was not found to have committed any offices under the PTA.

The IUSF convener’s legal counsel had previously requested his release on the grounds that there are no sufficient levels of facts or evidence to remand him under the PTA.

Many international human rights organizations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have also been calling on the Sri Lankan government to end the arbitrary detention of Mudalige, who was arrested five months ago.

In August 2022, Mudalige was detained on charges filed under the PTA.  Mudalige was further remanded until January 31, after his bail application was taken up before Colombo Magistrate’s Court earlier today (Jan 17).

Meanwhile, the chief magistrate also rejected a request made by the Keselwatte Police to issue an order preventing a silent protest due to be staged near the court complex by the IUSF.

Instead, the police were ordered to act in accordance with the powers vested within the force in the event the protesters act in a manner that may be harmful to the public.