Ratta, social media influencer and anti-government protestor arrested
COLOMBO – Popular Sri Lankan YouTuber Rathindu Suramya Senarathna, better known as Ratta, was arrested Monday (30) for allegedly obstructing the duties of police officers during a protest in front of the Fort Magistrate Court on Thursday (26).
The protest had taken place demanding the arrest of suspects allegedly connected to the May 9 attack on Gota Go Gama and Maina Go Gama protesters by Rajapkasa loyalists.
Ratta, who has 1.4 million subscribers on YouTube, is a prominent figure in Sri Lanka’s anti-government protests demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government over the country’s worsening economic crisis. While his usual content focused on comedy and satire, he has been using his platforms to share information regarding the protests since they began.
According to fellow protester and human rights activist Shehan Malaka, Ratta was summoned to courts a few days ago. “He went to give his statement today (30), and after he did, the police arrested him.”
Malaka added that protestors were already gathered in front of the Slave Island police, demanding Ratta’s release.
-economynext.com