Social Media activist Piyath Nikeshala, arrested

Colombo, January 29, 2024 — Piyath Nikeshala, a social media activist, was arrested today by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) when he appeared for questioning. The arrest is related to the publication of a recorded telephone conversation with Public Security Minister on his YouTube channel.

The CID has cited that the title of the video, featuring the recorded conversation, is considered misleading. Piyath Nikeshala had previously faced legal issues, notably being arrested on June 26, 2023.

Piyath Nikeshala was previously arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department on June 26, 2023. This was when he came to give a statment regarding regarding the live broadcast through social media when he and other activists forcibly entered the Prime Minister's office on July 09, 2022