Sri Lanka urged to free student activist held over protests

By BHARATHA MALLAWARACHI
Associated Press

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Human rights groups are urging Sri Lanka’s government to release a prominent student activist who was arrested five months ago during anti-government protests triggered by the country’s economic crisis. He has been held without charges under harsh anti-terrorism laws. A court on Tuesday ordered him remanded until Jan. 31. Seven human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, said that under the powerful Prevention of Terrorism Act, courts routinely deny bail if it’s opposed by the attorney general. Mudalige was involved in months of anti-government demonstrations last year. The protesters demanded reforms to resolve the economic crisis that caused shortages of essential goods, fuel and medicine after Sri Lanka defaulted on its massive debt.