A lawyer affiliated with the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has claimed that Dematagoda Police summoned and questioned one of his clients over traditional Sinhala curse verses (was kavi) that circulated widely on social media during a recent protest by Buddhist monks.
Attorney-at-Law Sudath Kumararatne said his client had been questioned about whether he had written the verses, which begin with an invocation to the deity Vajrapani.
According to Kumararatne, police asked his client whether he had authored the verses, assisted anyone in preparing them or had any knowledge of their creation.
He said his client denied any involvement and told police that he did not have the ability to compose such verses.
Kumararatne questioned the legal basis for the inquiry, arguing that Sri Lankan law contained no specific legislation prohibiting curse verses, black magic or similar traditional practices.
He alleged that some within the government appeared to have become alarmed by the circulation of the verses.
The lawyer also claimed that police had no legal grounds to summon individuals for questioning solely over such verses.
Responding to questions from journalists, Kumararatne declined to identify his client, citing professional ethics and lawyer-client confidentiality.
However, he maintained that the incident had taken place and challenged journalists to verify the matter with officers at Dematagoda Police Station.
He urged the government to focus on addressing public concerns rather than investigating traditional curse verses.
“If the government is still afraid, they should get someone to recite a blessing poem,” he remarked.
The allegations come amid continuing protests by Buddhist monks demanding an unconditional presidential pardon for Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera.
Police have not independently confirmed the alleged questioning or clarified whether an investigation is underway. (Newswire)