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May Day attack: Devasri makes statement to police
View(s):Nirmal Ranjith Devasri, former president of the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA), yesterday made a statement to the police on the alleged attack on him at a May Day rally in Kirulapone. His statement was recorded by the Kirulapone police after he was discharged from hospital.
Dr. Devasri told police that he and his colleague Dr. Kusum Kumara had viewed the May Day rally attended by UPFA members Wimal Weerawansa, Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Dinesh Gunawardena, and were leaving the venue when they were confronted. A group which identified them had verbally abused them and thereafter, threw objects at them before physically assaulting them.
Police said they had intervened and stopped the assault. However they made no arrests. Dr. Devasri was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital for treatment.
University Teachers Social Justice (UTSJ) member Dr. Mahim Mendis said the victim was complaining of neck pains due to the assault.
He said that as social science academics, they have the freedom to visit any May Day rally, and the UTSJ condemns such actions. He said their association wanted to change the culture of violence and anti-democracy practices that prevailed during the previous regime.