Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena stated that the student activists who were taken into custody at Tuesday’s (30) university students’ protest are not arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The Premier made this observation in reply to the Opposition Leader who raised concerns over the arrested students yesterday (31) in parliament.
The Prime Minister further mentioned that a person who lives respecting the common law will not be taken into custody under the PTA. The Prime Minister said that even though the students had informed the police on the place they would gather for the protest, they had not informed about the path they would parade in protest. PM Gunawardena also pointed out that the basic rights are not the rights of one person but the rights of all the people in the country.
PM Gunawardena also said that the government is working to protect the democratic parliamentary system.
Prime Minister Gunawardena requested all parties to work towards building the country through economic and financial issues with an All-Party Government.
“According to the Constitution of this country, our government is dedicated to protect people’s fundamental rights and democratic rights. I will not reminisce about history. But we should focus on this huge crisis that the country is facing today. It would have been better if the Opposition Leader is here at the moment to receive my answer. Fundamental rights are not only the fundamental rights of one person, but also the rights of all other people. That’s why we are committed to creating an environment where everyone can exercise their rights.” PM Gunawardena furthered.
