(UTV | COLOMBO) – “Rishad Bathiudeen is a mere scapegoat to divert attention away from the mismanagement and fumblings of Sri Lanka’s most inefficient regime,” former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said.
30 days today since Rishad B arrested under PTA. Known RB since he was a SLFP youth member in the ‘90s ;though being a devout Muslim was never, NEVR an extremist. RB is a mere scapegoat to divert attention away from the mismanagement and fumblings of SLs most inefficient regime.
— Mangala Samaraweera (@MangalaLK) May 24, 2021
“Thirty-days today since Rishad Bathiudeen arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Known Rishad since he was a Youth Member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in the ‘90s though being a devout Muslim was never, never an extremist,” Samaraweera added.
The Leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen were detained by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the PTA on early Saturday morning of 24 April.
In the wake of the arrest, people took to the streets all over the country demanding the former Minister’s release.
Protests erupt in several districts in the country including Colombo, Mannar, Puttalam, and Vavuniya, demanding that the Vanni District Parliamentarian, who respected humanity and served the people with the utmost respect, must never be blamed for Easter attack and should be released.
A Fundamental Rights (FR) Petition has also been filed in the Supreme Court seeking the release of Rishad. The petition was filed by the lawyers of the former Minister.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director of the CID, the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Department, the Officer In Charge (OIC) of the Department, and the Attorney General (AG) named as respondents in the FR Petition.
