The former OIC of the Criminal Investigation Department’s Computer Crimes Unit expressed regret when the case was taken up before the Supreme Court today (19) regarding the arrest and remand of comedian Natasha Edirisuriya under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act for insulting the Buddha.

The former OIC of the Computer Crimes Unit expressed regret when the case filed by Edirisuriya before the Supreme Court was taken up for hearing today (19) alleging that her fundamental rights were violated by her arrest and remand on false charges.

The State Counsel also submitted a letter expressing that regret to the court.

In addition, the IGP has decided to issue a set of guidelines containing instructions to be followed to prevent illegal actions that may occur during arrests under this Act, the State Counsel told the court.

The court also ordered the closure of the petition hearing after the former OIC expressed his regret.

Natasha was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department at the Katunayake International Airport on May 28 and produced before the Fort Magistrate and remanded. SL Vlog owner Bruno Divakara, who allegedly broadcast Natasha’s video, was also arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department on May 31 and produced before the Fort Magistrate and remanded.

An organization called the New People’s Front, urging the government to immediately implement the law against the religious conspiracies that are plaguing the country, staged a silent protest against Natasha and Bruno in front of the Fort Magistrate’s Court. About a hundred people participated in the protest.

How the fascist crowd gathered in front of the Fort Magistrate’s Court against freedom of speech and expression and democracy

Release Natasha and Bruno immediately! Cut off the hand that is being placed on the right to art and expression! Workers, farmers and young people, let’s rally against repression! Abolish repressive laws! No to bankrupt capitalism! The protesters, holding placards with slogans, engaged in a silent protest on the way to the Fort magistrate Court for almost two hours. The protest was led by the Colombo Action Committee for Peoples Struggle.

Fort Magistrate Kosala Senadheera on June 19, 2024 ordered the acquittal and release of comedian Natasha Edirisuraya and owner of the S.L.Vlog YouTube channel Bruno Divakara from the case filed against them for insulting Buddha and the broadcasting of the standup comedy that contained the statement.

Fort Magistrate Senadheera stated that the Attorney General has informed the Fort Magistrate in writing that there is insufficient evidence to continue the case against the defendants and that the defendants will be acquitted and released from the relevant case on the advice of the Attorney General.

After the court acquitted her, Natasha Edirisuriya filed a case in the Supreme Court alleging that the officers of the CID’s Computer Division and other officers had violated her fundamental rights by arresting her.

“The entire statement made by the suspect, Natasha Edirisuriya, on the program does not appear to have been directed at Buddhists and incited the audience to commit violence or hostility against them, and therefore, it is a serious issue how Article 3(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was applied to this suspect,” High Court Judge Aditya Patabedi granted bail to the suspect.

When the capitalist court said that a person who believes in science has the right to criticize religion, the Sinhala chauvinist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and the pseudo-left Frontline Socialist Party, Natasha Edirisuriya, were accused of fascist propaganda.

When Buddhist fascists took to the streets against Edirisuriya, they continued to fight against Buddhist fanaticism and racism, taking a Marxist stance against it until she was released.

Tilvin Silva, General Secretary of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna.

“Recently, a big incident has happened based on a story about Prince Siddhartha. Whether it happened by accident or planned, it is in line with those evil religious nationalist goals. Identify the attempt to forget the real problems of the people.”

Pubudu Jayagoda, Education Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party, explained his party’s views on the arrest of Natasha Edirisuriya to the media.

“Some of the spiritual beliefs of the oppressed people, some of the cultural things, some of the religious sensitivities, have been attacked. He said that it is the need of the ruling class and that Pastor Jerome and Natasha are going to create this division between religions. He asked the people not to allow this.”

The then former OIC of the Computer Division of the Criminal Investigation Department arrested Natasha Edirisuriya on false charges based on the needs of Buddhist fascists and took steps to remand her. She was tortured physically and mentally. They incited the Buddhist people against Edirisuriya and not only destroyed her but also suppressed speech, expression and democracy.  This is a slip of the tongue, but there is no hope that such incidents will not happen again. What happened through the expression of regret was to prevent the repression carried out against the opposition from being discussed among the working-class and oppressed people. The existing law is the law of the capitalist class. Expressing regret is a pretext to further bind the people to the law of the capitalist class. In 1988-89, this country killed sixty thousand people by bringing laws such as protecting them from responsibility. No democratic rights can be won except by completely wiping out the capitalist system.