How could the arrested protesters be infected with COVID-19?

Sri Lanka’s main opposition faction, the Samagi Jana Balavegaya has raised concern over the fact that activists who are being arrested by Police, test positive following detention.

“Activists such as Chameera Koswatta, Wasantha Mudalige, Amila Sandeepa who were healthy when arrested for protesting, had contracted COVID-19 following their arrests,” said the SJB.

It said that Sri Lankan prisons do not have the minimum required sanitary facilities for those who were arrested in recent times for various reasons, and no quarantine law is being applied within prison walls.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya urges the Government not to abuse existing rules and regulations by imposing emergency regulations under the guide of providing essential services.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya points out even when lawyers are not allowed to go to prisons, the manner in which the Sri Lanka Police is acting is questionable despite the Attorney General’s request to grant bail to all those who can be granted bail.

They demand the government to respect the fundamental rights of the people and release the imprisoned student and social activists immediately.