Amnesty International in a statement issued on Friday said that the Lankan authorities have fiercely clamped down on protests and demonized protesters during a period of economic crisis and hardship in the country. Since widespread protests began in March 2022, the police and armed forces have routinely misused tear gas and water cannons against largely peaceful protesters. On two occasions, security forces fired live ammunition at protesters, killing at least one person on 19 April 2022.

Amnesty International’s research shows a pattern in the unlawful use of tear gas, water cannon and the misuse of batons by law enforcement officials with video evidence revealing their conduct regularly didn’t meet international law and standards on the use of force.

Since President Ranil Wickremesinghe came into power in July 2022, over 140 protesters and protest organizers have been arrested, routinely flouting due process, creating chilling effect on the protest movement. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has also publicly labelled protesters as “terrorists” and “fascists”, in a bid to demonize protesters. Additionally, the government has employed the draconian anti-terror law Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), which in the past has been used to target, and harass minorities, activists, journalists and critical voices, to detain three protesters.

Individuals on the ground who experienced firsthand the unlawful use of less lethal weapons by law enforcers have shared their stories: “I saw police firing tear gas into the university premises… Several students with disabilities including those who are vision impaired and the less mobile, suffered from the tear gas attack near the library.” Sahan, a university student affected by tear gas in campus grounds on 7 March 2023.

“They did not care where they were firing tear gas… and they fire tear gas into the middle of the crowd in several quick shots… They were pulling women by their hair and putting them on the ground. They were angry. It was as if they were punishing protesters rather than doing their duty.” Upeksha (pseudonym), a protester who experienced several rounds of tear gas being fired by the police.

“We only carried our phones, but they had their batons and pistols. The jets of the water cannon were so powerful that for 15-20 days after, I still had body pain… We are tired, getting weaker, mentally drained and feeling more hopeless.” Lakshmi, a protester whose husband was forcibly disappeared.