Moratuwa, Sri Lanka — The Moratuwa Magistrate Court resumed hearings on January 19 regarding a criminal case linked to the violent assault on two members of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) that took place on November 30, 2023. This incident occurred near the University of Moratuwa and has drawn significant public attention as it explores the political motivations behind the attack.
During the court proceedings, prosecutors detailed how SEP members Dehin Wasantha and Lakshman Fernando were targeted while distributing political flyers aimed at promoting public meetings celebrating the centennial of Trotskyism. The meetings, which featured notable speakers including Joseph Kishore, the SEP National Secretary from the United States, were intended to challenge the political narrative promoted by the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) government.
Prosecutors asserted the assault unfolded in a politically charged atmosphere, implicating individuals affiliated with a trade union aligned with the SLPP, which is led by former President Mahinda Rajapakse. The accused individuals, Indika Perera and Suranga Piyawardena, identified as the president and secretary of the Podujana Pragathishili Sevaka Sangamaya, respectively, were detained shortly after the incident. They have since been released on bail, with conditions that include substantial sureties and ongoing police reporting.
In the most recent hearings, the defense’s cross-examination of Dehin Wasantha shifted the narrative, portraying the encounter as an unintentional clash between SEP members and local students. The defense claimed the accused did not intend to inflict harm. However, Wasantha’s testimony painted a different picture, highlighting his prior knowledge of the attackers and suggesting that he was targeted specifically for his political beliefs.
Wasantha recounted how the confrontation escalated after he and a fellow SEP member were chased for about a kilometer by the accused in a three-wheeler, contradicting the defense’s assertion that they were merely intervening as neutral parties. He detailed the violence of the attack, describing the use of wooden poles and injuries inflicted on both himself and Fernando.
Amidst the tension, medical documentation of the injuries sustained has been submitted as evidence, while the defense continues to refute the prosecution’s account. After the attack, despite their injuries, Wasantha and Fernando managed to reach Moratuwa Police Station to file a complaint, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The SEP has maintained that the aggressive act was not just a random street altercation but part of a systematic effort to undermine political engagement among students and workers. They label the violence by union affiliates of the SLPP as a tactic to suppress the development of a socialist movement capable of challenging the country’s prevailing capitalist policies.
Expressions of support for Wasantha and Fernando have emerged from various quarters, including workers and students across several nations. Following the assault, the SEP has lodged complaints, demanding accountability from Sri Lankan authorities, including the university’s vice-chancellor and the attorney general.
As the hearings progress, questions surrounding the university administration’s silence and the lack of any announced internal inquiry deepens concern regarding the safety and rights of both students and faculty. The SEP emphasizes that defending political expression requires broader mobilization to confront such acts of intimidation.
Ultimately, the proceedings in the Moratuwa Magistrate Court will continue to grapple with the complexities of this case as both prosecution and defense strive to establish the truth behind the events. The case serves as a pivotal moment, raising fundamental questions about political rights, freedom of speech, and the ongoing struggles against violence in Sri Lanka.