(UTV | COLOMBO) – The Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) has condemned the arrests of Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen and Riyaj Bathiudeen.
Leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) and his brother were arrested by the CID under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) on early Saturday morning (24).
Police Spokesperson, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ajith Rohana said that they were arrested at their respective residences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) over allegations of aiding and abetting the suicide bombers of the Easter attack.
DIG Rohana said that they are currently being questioned in this regard by the CID and allowed to be detained for 72-hours.
.@TnpfOrg vehemently condemns d arrest of @rbathiudeen under d PTA which is a universally condemned draconian law. D timing&manner in which d arrest took place have all d hallmarks of political motivation in a country where d police act as an extension of the party in power. (1)
— Gajen Ponnambalam MP (@GGPonnambalam) April 25, 2021
In a Twitter post, President of TNPF and the General Secretary of the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC), Parliamentarian Gajen Ponnambalam said the TNPF vehemently condemns the arrest of the former Minister under the PTA which is a “Universally condemned draconian law,” and the timing and manner in which the arrest took place have all the hallmarks of political motivation in a country where the Police act as an extension of the party in power.
As a party representing a community that has been most affected by the PTA, we can unhesitatingly state that no justice can ever be meted out through the PTA. Rather, what this country will be left with is a legacy of injustice. (2)
— Gajen Ponnambalam MP (@GGPonnambalam) April 25, 2021
“As a Party representing a community that has been most affected by the PTA, we can unhesitatingly state that no justice can ever be meted out through the PTA. Rather, what this country will be left with is a legacy of injustice,” he tweeted expressing his grave concern.
The overwhelming experience of arrests and legal action under the PTA shows that it is a tool used by governments to punish people who they have no evidence against. (3)
— Gajen Ponnambalam MP (@GGPonnambalam) April 25, 2021
“The overwhelming experience of arrests and legal action under the PTA shows that it is a tool used by Governments to punish people who they have no evidence against,” Gajen added.