Sri Lankan police release lawyer after arrests at Black Lives Matter protest

by Thusiyan
Jun 10, 2020

Updated 1430 GMT

File photograph: Arulingam with the then British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka in 2016.

Sri Lankan police have released a Tamil lawyer who was arrested as she attempted to enquire into the detention of Black Lives Matter protestors, as clashes broke out in Colombo yesterday.

Swasthika Arulingam was reportedly detained by Sri Lankan police, though it remains unclear as to the grounds on which she was held and if charges are to be pursued.

Clashes broke out in Colombo yesterday as Sri Lankan police tangled with protestors from the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) who attempted to stage a demonstration outside the US Embassy in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. 

Sri Lankan police reportedly arrested up to 20 people at the protest, with Arulingam one of the detained. All have reportedly since been released.

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Article has been updated to clarify the site of arrest and release. Arulingam was detained at the site of the protest in Colombo yesterday.

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