Ruki Fernando

Lessons fm judgement: There must be BASIS "reasonable suspicion" for arrests #PTA cant be used against suspects of ordinary crimes "Vague allegations of terrorist acts or threats to public order thats unsubstantiated, unexplained, inadequate" cannot justify arrests under #PTA

#SupremeCourt has decided yesterday theres no legal basis for "drastic measure of arrest & detention under #PTA" of former student leader (#IUSF) & Aragalaya activist  #WasanthaMudalige, after detailed examination of police reports. Reinforces Wasantha was never a terrorist

Judgement says his rights to equal protection of law (12-1)  & not to be arbitarily arrested (13-1) were violated. But no compensation awarded, despite suffering #WasanthaMudalige underwent & chilling impact this #PTA arrest had on dissent, free expression, assembly in #lka

Encouraging & inspiring to see young students organizing & attending this. It was held @CfPS Law School. Hoping they will continue to accompany, support, protect refugees

Today, Intl Womens Day, i joined an event abt refugees in #lka "Survival is not end goal – dignity is. Today by speaking here, I choose dignity. I'm proud to stand here – not just as a refugee – but as proof that even after loss, life can grow again" (Pakistani female refuge)

If the draconian & deeply flawed Prevention of Terrorism Act (#PTA) & Detention Orders (DO) which have been routinely abused by all govts incl #NPP & @anuradisanayake will be used, it will undermine credibility of investigations & prosecution of #Sallay & any others

#SureshSallay arrest for #EasterAttacks aft nearly 7 yrs is welcome. He's not an accused in ongoing special trial at bar & this shows inadequacies in investigations, prosecutions & trials so far. Hoping for solid prosecution against him & fair trial without undue delay or haste

This is violation of my constitutional rights not to be discriminated (12-2) & freedom of speech, expression & publication (14-1-a) I will take further actions, incl complain to @HRCSriLanka to seek remedies & prevent such arbitrary actions by @SL_PoliceMedia in future

Today I was prevented by @police from observing hearings at special trial at bar (open court) on #EasterAttacks. Police said its on order of judges, but refused to show such an order. Also said media can only cover if they posses a "media ID" & that national ID is not sufficient

@Police The #EasterAttacks is a trial that's of public interest. Transparency is essential. I have heard that others, including families of accused, have also been stopped from observing proceedings in open courts. This could affect fair trial, which is also bad for aggrieved parties

@ShanakiyanR private member bill to abolish #PTA is welcome. All MPs must support this. Especially #NPP who promised to abolish PTA in its 2024 election manifesto. In interim #NPP must stop using #PTA. @anuradisanayake keep the promise, dont go down repressive path of other govts

My article based on a talk about Pope Leo's message for World Day of Peace Pope’s call for “unarmed” peace must lead to de-militarising Sri Lanka Pope Leo strongly rejects peace through arms Political dimension must complement spiritual & cultural actions tinyurl.com/2s4m3jd3

This is after she received death threats on 16Jan2025, few days after writing to president @anuradisanayake opposing an alleged promotion to Military Intelligence officer Erantha Peiris, whose an accused in the ongoing #PrageethEkneligoda trial

Its 16 yrs since enforced disappearence of #PrageethEkneligoda His wife @SP_Ekneligoda did prayers & pooja at Modera Kali Kovil Asking to end 6 yr long trial this year &  punish perpetrators An protect her life from criminals

NPP's Terror Law proposal (#PSTA) - Executive decides Whats Terrorism, Whose terrorist, What's punishment @anuradisanayake / NPP must keep promise & Repeal PTA Withdraw PSTA Not replace the PTA with similar terror laws My article today @TheMorningLK shorturl.fm/xyD0P

Visit to #Gammaduwa after #CycloneDitwah "immediate & long term relief measures announced by the president should not be limited to rhetorical words & government circulars but should be implemented, including in remote areas like #Gammaduwa. In consultation with those affected

@anuradisanayake (President & Commander in Chief) should be ashamed to promote @Sri_Lanka_Army officer accused of disappearing (murdering) #PrageethEkneligoda while he is an accused in an ongoing trial. Blow to Rule of Law & hopes of Justice as said by his wife @SP_Ekneligoda

This is how people travel today in #Gammaduwa in Matale district No vehicles can pass to remote villages like Inguruwatte abt 6km away, which had only one access road Gammaduwa was badly affected in #CycloneDitwa wid highest rainfall of 540mm on 27-28Nov acdg to media reports

#LasanthaWickrematunge killing 17th year memorial was today @ his gravesite Other journalists killed & disappeared were also remembered. Their names were spread across Lasantha's grave Justice is still elusive for serious crimes against journalists @NalindaJay @anuradisanayake

Police had told Tharindu complaint is about defamation (අපහාස), which is a civil matter beyond competence of police to investigate. But they are insisting on investigating. Why? Is it to stop exposes abt #Ambuluwawa? Or partiality to complainant who is a state official?

@SL_PoliceMedia must withdraw summons & close inquiries against investigative journalist & HRD @tharinduij abt false reporting without saying which part of which article / video is false. It violates IGP’s circular that suspects summoned must be adequately informed of allegations