Democratic Party calls off Hambantota campaign due to undemocratic harassment

Tuesday, 25 March 2014 00:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Text and Pix by P.D. De Silva “As the Democratic Party is the emerging threat to the Rajapaksa regime our supporters in the Hambantota District have been harassed and threatened. The licenses granted to hold election meetings have been revoked at the last minute or the owners of the venue have been threatened. Even candidates for the forth coming Southern Provincial Council Election are being harassed. Hence the Democratic Party has called off all the meetings and rallies which were to be held in the Hambantota District,” said Party Leader and former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka at a press conference convened at Dikwella last morning (24).

“As we are responsible for the lives of our supporters and leaders of the party we have taken this decision. We wouldn’t want our supporters who attend these rallies and meetings to face bodily harm which may be fatal. The Democratic Party will abide by the law even though the law is not being enforced fairly,” reiterated the Venerable Biyagama Suseela the leader of the Democratic Party’s Bhikku Front. The press conference was attended by MP Jayantha Ketagoda, Deputy Leader of the Democratic Party Anoma Fonseka and candidates of the party contesting from the Hambantota and Matara Districts.