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The Government yesterday blamed ‘political extremists’ for the violence that erupted at a people’s protest near the private residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Mirihana, Nugegoda on Thursday night, and said Police had used ‘minimum force’ to disperse the crowd.
Cabinet Co-Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said that a group of persons that mingled with the peaceful protesters, who were mainly residents of the area, had attempted to break through the barricades on the lane leading to the President’s residence.
The President had been at his house as the violence unfolded outside and had consulted with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Army Commander and the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence following which it was as decided to authorise the Police to disperse the crowd.
“The instructions were to use minimum force. The group that turned violent broke down the walls of houses down the lane and used bricks from them to attack the Police. Measures had to be taken to stop them from entering the President’s house,” the Minister told reporters at a press briefing at the President’s Media Division (PMD) last morning.
He said an organised group had come there wearing helmets so as to hide their identity and mingled with the crowds and orchestrated the violence.
“We can call them political extremists. We know from what happened in 1989-90 and what such groups are capable of,” the Minister said.
He said there were no restrictions on peaceful protests which was the right of the people.
Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga who addressed the media blamed sections within the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and some other political parties for the violence.
“We know what happened in 1989-90. Police have identified a person who was on the JVP national list among the miscreants. They have been using social media to start an ‘Arab Spring’ style uprising here and cause violence. They want to see dead bodies and use it for their political advantage,” Ranatunga said.
54 persons including several journalists who were taken into custody in connection with the Mirihana incidents were produced in court yesterday, State Minister of Community Police Dilum Amunugama told reporters.
Five policemen including an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) are being treated in hospital for injuries sustained during the unrest while 10 other policemen who had minor injuries were discharged after treatment, he said.
He added that even though the Army was called in, only Special Task Force (STF) personnel of the Police engaged in the operation to disperse the crowds.
