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Intellectuals, Artists and Civil leaders against hounding journalist Kusal Perera; Statement of many signatures

(Lanka-e-News -17.June.2019, 1.45PM) We are reliably informed that the Organised Crime Division has petitioned the Colombo Magistrate Courts against journalist Kusal Perera who has written a political column in the Daily Mirror every Friday for many years. We also came to know that police officers had visited the Daily Mirror yesterday (Friday) in this regard. It is alleged that his article on 17 May 2019 on developments after the Easter Sunday tragedy is being interpreted by a complainant as inflaming religious rivalry, therefore making him liable to be arrested under the ICCPR Act No.57 of 2007.

This is a very grave situation. Throughout his adult life, Kusal Perera has stood against all forms of racism and has written extensively against extremism and terrorism openly and fearlessly. He is internationally known for his very strong anti-racist stand. He is accepted by all as an independent political critic too. As far as we know, he is the only journalist who contributes to both mainstream Sinhala and English newspapers. He was a regular political writer for the Sunday Lakbima and was invited often by Lankadeepa to write their Thursday political analysis. International media too seek comments from him as an independent political commentator.

Therefore, it is clear that this is an attempt by someone or some group to silence Kusal Pererato serve their petty interests. Permitting this travesty would not only violate Kusal Perera's freedom of expression but it would also curb independent views and dialogue within the broader society too. This is an extremely dangerous precedent in the making. 

We therefore urge all those concerned to immediately intervene in stopping all action initiated against Kusal Perera.

Signed By

Parakrama Niriella, Dramatist
Wijayananda Jayaweera, Former Director Communication UNESCO
Dr.Sunil Wijesiriwardena, Lecturer and Researcher
Prof.Arjuna Parakrama, Senior Professor, Centre for study of Human rights, University, Peradeniya
Dr.Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri, Senior Lecturer
Prof.Liyanage Amarakeerthi, Professor, Dept of Sinhala, University of Peradeniya
Victor Ivan, Senior Journalist
Asoka Handagama, Film Director
Prasanna Vithanage, Film Director
Sudath Mahadivulwewa. Lecturer and Film Director
Vimukthi Jayasundara, Film Director
Ravindra Guruge, Film and TV Producer, Editor
M.Safeer, Dramatist
Anton Marcus, Trade Union Leader
Kumari Welagedara, Researcher and Social Activist
Selvaraj Leelawathy, Performing Artist
Rasaiah Logananthan, Performing Artist
Jeevanie Kariyawasam: Attorney-at-Law
Rathnasiri Paranavithana, Dramatist & Writer
Prof. Sasanka Perera - South Asian University, New Delhi
Thiyagaraja Waradas - Senior Lecturer, University of Colombo
Omar Rajarathnam - Communication Specialist
Vishnu Vasu - Musician
Philip Shantha - Journalist
Damith Chandimal - Social Activist
Dr. Chamindra Weerawardhana
Aadhil Ali Sabry - Journalist
Kalpana Ambrose - Writer
Chameera Dewantha - Activist
Anushka Indrasiri - Foreign University Student
Pujika Rathnayake - Concerned Citizen
Chamal Polwattage - Writer
Ishan Jalil - Human Rights Activist
Kaushalya Kumarasinghe - Writer
Asela Ekanayake - Banker
Sharni jayawardhana - Media Activist
Kelum Shivantha, Editor - Sri Lanka Mirror 
Ashra Wickramathilaka - Researcher
Dr. Harini amarasiriya - Lecturer - Open University
Vidura Prabath Munasinghe (Attorney-at- Law) - Senior Researcher, Law & Society
Sumudu Guruge - Freelance researcher / Writer / Composer / Documentary film maker
Vinyya Ariyarathna - Medical Doctor
Ajith Perakum Jayasinghe - Editor, Praja.lk
Athula Pathirana - Director and Actor
Kanishka Guluwita - Urban Planner (Australia)
Maala Gabriel - Retired State Servant at UDA 
Janaka Bandara - Fashion Designer
Dinushi Samarasekara - Architect
Deva Sanjeev - Digital Marketer
Anuradhi Perera - Independent Researcher
Paba Deshapriya - Social Activist
Priyanjan Suresh de Silva - Journalist
Malith Hegoda - Film Director
Rathnasiri Paranavithana, Dramatist & Writer
Malaka Dewapriya - Film Maker and Artist
Anusha Sivalingam - Writer
Kaushalya Herath - PhD Student
Saman Kariyakarawana - University Lecturer
Kavindya Tennakoon, Educator / MA Candidate, Stanford
Deanne Uyangoda - Attorney-at-Law 
Subha Wijesiriwardena
Mohammed Infaz - Free Media Movement
Suchith Abeyewickreme - Concerned Citizen
Shanika Jayasekara -Journalist
Viduranga Tennakoon - Concerned Citizen
Sanjani Liyanage - Undergraduate, University of Moratuwa 
Krishan Siriwardane - Media Researcher
Nirmani Liyanage - Senior Project Manager and Social Researcher
Asanka Senadeera - Researcher
Professor Sasanka Perera - South Asian University, New Delhi 
Thiagarajah handouts - Senior Lecturer , University of Colombo 
Omar Rajaratnam - Communications Specialist
Vishnu Vasu - musician 
St. Philip - Journalist 
Damith Chandimal - Social Actives
Lawyers life Kariyawasam 
Dr. Chamindra Weerawardhana
Ādil Ali Sabri - Journalist 
Ambrose thought - writer 
Chameera Second trial - Social active
Anushka Indrasara - External Foreign University Students
Renowned Ratnayake Alert The Citizen 
Chamal polvattagē - Writer
Jalil backside - Human Rights Action 
Kumarasingha ingenuity - Writer
Asela Ekanayake - Bank Officer 
Sharni Jayawardena - media activist
Kelum Shivantha - Editor , Sri Lanka Mirror 
Allied Wickramatilake - Researcher 
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya - Lecturer, Open University of Sri Lanka
Counsel Vidura Prabath Munasinghe - Senior Researcher The Law and Society Trust 
Smooth Guruge - Independent Researcher , Writer , Musician, documentary film director  
Dr. Wing Ariyarathne 
Parakum Ajith Jayasinghe - Editor , Praja.lk 
Athula Pathirana - Director and actor
Kanishka guluviṭa Urban Designer (Australia)
Gabriel series - former state employees Urban Development Authority
Janaka Bandara - Clothing designers 
Dinūṣi Samarasekera - Architect
Let Sanjeev Digital - Partner 
Anuradhi Perera - Independent Independent research 
Paba Deshappriya - Social activist 
Priyanjan Suresh de Silva – Journalist
Malith Hegoda - Film Director
Rathnasiri Paranavithana - actor and writer 
Malaka Dewapriya - Film director and actor 
Anusha Sivalingam - Writer
Kaushalya Herath - doctoral candidate 
Saman DFKariyakarawana - University Lecturer 
Kavindya Tennekone - Educator / Masters degree candidate, Stanford 
Attorney Diana nominated 
ELT Wijesiriwardane 
Mohamed Infaaz - FMM
Index Abeywickreme - Citizens are concerned 
Shanika Jayasekara - Journalist 
Viduranga Tennekone - Citizens are concerned 
Saṁjāni Liyanage - Undergraduate, University of Moratuwa 
Design Liyanage - Senior Project Manager and Social Researcher
Krishan Siriwardena - Communication Researcher  
Asanka Senadeera - Researcher  
Sandaruwan Senadheera - Editor, Lanka e News

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by     (2019-06-17 08:27:48)

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