In a media release, the FMM states that they "consider this attack as a gross violation of right to protest."
Noting that 'this incident should not have happened under a regime which came into power with the promise of ‘Good governance', the "FMM strongly demands an impartial investigation into this attack from President Maithreepala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickaramasinghe and to take action against the Police which suppressed the students using undue power, and any other higher authority who is responsible for instructing police to behave in this manner."
The complete media release is as follows :
Inhuman Police attack to HNDE students is a violation of Right to Protest on Rights
FREE MEDIA MOVEMENT (FMM)
Free Media Movement (FMM) strongly condemns the inhuman police attack against the students of Higher National Diploma in Engineering (HNDE) who protested asking re-recognition of HNDE as equivalent to the undergraduate degree, and several other requests, in front of University Grant Commission on 29th October, 2015. FMM considers this attack as a gross violation of right to protest which is one of the major channels to achieve rights by civilians.
It is learnt that the conservative practices of not listening, not responding to the student requests and using police barriers to suppress students were followed as in the past, and media had widely reported how inhumanely students were attacked by police, when they attempted to enter to the UGC despite of the barriers. After attacking with high pressure water and teargas, police have chased after students who ran into the nearby market stalls and have beaten them. It is also reported that Several students were arrested.
This incident reminds us the refractory past which peaceful meetings, freedom of expression, protests to gain rights were brutally suppressed, and also it creates a negative picture about the country as a state which neglects global human rights standards. Also this incident should not have happened under a regime which came into power with the promise of ‘Yahapanalana’ the good governance. In the name of so promised ‘Yahapalanya’, (good governance) FMM strongly demands an impartial investigation into this attack from President Maithreepala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickaramasinghe and to take action against the Police which suppressed the students using undue power, and any other higher authority who is responsible for instructing police to behave in this manner.
Seetha Ranjanee C. Dodawatte
Convener Secretary
Free Media Movement
2015. 10. 30
