Moratuwa, Sri Lanka — The Moratuwa Magistrate Court resumed hearings on a criminal case stemming from a November 30, 2023, attack on two members of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) near the University of Moratuwa. The court proceedings are focused on gathering evidence and witness testimonies related to the assault, which has drawn significant public attention.
The prosecution claims that Dehin Wasantha and Lakshman Fernando, both members of the SEP, were targeted while distributing political flyers meant to promote public meetings commemorating the centenary of Trotskyism. These events, led by SEP (US) National Secretary Joseph Kishore, aimed to critique the policies of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) government and its trade union affiliates.
In court, the accused, Indika Perera and Suranga Piyawardena, were identified as the president and secretary of the Podujana Pragathishili Sevaka Sangamaya, a union aligned with the SLPP. Arrested a day after the altercation, they were released on bail with conditions including regular police check-ins. The case remains ongoing, with no judicial verdict yet delivered.
During cross-examination on January 19, the defense claimed the incident erupted inadvertently during a disagreement between SEP members and university students. They argued that the accused had no premeditated intent to inflict harm. This narrative was vigorously contested by Wasantha, who provided firsthand accounts of the assault and detailed prior encounters with the accused.
Wasantha testified that political animosity motivated the attack, emphasizing that the assailants were aware of his affiliations and had pursued him and another SEP member for nearly a kilometer. He recounted how the confrontation commenced after a prolonged chase, countering the defense’s assertion that the accused acted as neutral mediators in a brief dispute.
In a dramatic recounting of the attack, Wasantha explained that wooden poles were used as weapons, resulting in injuries to both him and Fernando. He described the struggle to shield himself from potentially fatal blows, culminating in fractures to his fingers and significant injuries to Fernando’s head, back, and neck. Medical documentation supporting their injuries has been submitted into evidence, though the defense contests this depiction.
After the assault, Wasantha and Fernando managed to reach the Moratuwa Police Station to file a complaint, despite their injuries, highlighting their determination to seek justice. The SEP has framed the attack not just as a random act of violence but as a politically motivated attempt to stifle their organizing efforts among students and workers. They contextualize it within a larger trend of intimidation tactics employed by pro-government unions to safeguard capitalist interests against social and political movements advocating for change.
The attack has led to expressions of solidarity across various sectors, with workers, academics, and artists in several countries voicing their concerns. The SEP has received support through protest letters sent to Sri Lankan authorities, urging a thorough investigation into the incident.
Despite these pressures, the university administration has remained silent, even in light of a formal complaint lodged by Wasantha. This silence extends to all trade unions affiliated with the current administration, illuminating a troubling trend of dismissing political violence and undermining workers’ rights. Notably, the University of Moratuwa has yet to release findings from any internal inquiry, raising alarm over its responsibilities to safeguard democratic rights on campus.
As the Moratuwa Magistrate Court continues to navigate the complexities of this case, it underscores critical issues surrounding political expression, the right to organize, and the response to violence in Sri Lanka. The SEP maintains that achieving true justice requires not only legal action but also broader political engagement from students and workers alike. The progression of these court hearings may well set a precedent for future acts of political violence and the corresponding responses from authorities.