(UTV | COLOMBO) – Convener of the Movement for the Protection of Public Rights (MPPR) Asela Sampath who was remanded until today (19), granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.
He was arrested for disrupting the duties of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Officials in Colombo in 2019. Sampath was arrested upon an open warrant issued by the Fort Magistrate’s Court.
Sampath recently criticised the Rs. 1,000 relief package provided by Lanka Sathosa, and Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena had openly said in Parliament that the Activist should be arrested over the statement.
Former Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen criticised the arrest of the Activist.
Civil Society Activist, Asela Sampath, was arrested today. Asela was always critical of policies even during my tenure as Minister. However, we recognized his right to free expression. The current regime should not use the law as a weapon to suppress those who speak against them. pic.twitter.com/szdwMVrmND
— Rishad Bathiudeen (@rbathiudeen) April 13, 2021
“Asela was always critical of policies even during my tenure as Minister. However, we recognised his right to free expression. The current regime should not use the law as a weapon to suppress those who speak against them,” Bathiudeen tweeted.
