Champika claims regime has lost public support due to arrest of about 3,000 anti-govt. activists

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The government had arrested and detained about 3,000 anti-government activists during the last few months, and that was the main reason why it had lost public support, SJB MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said yesterday.

Ranawaka said there was no evidence to prove claim that the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) had engaged in any kind of violent activities.

Ranawaka said that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) could not be used against anti-government activists and that these arrests had tarnished Sri Lanka’s image locally and internationally.