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Wednesday, 3 April 2013 00:53 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Senior Opposition Parliamentarian Karu Jayasuriya yesterday denounced the violence against a clothing store warehouse in Pepiliyana last Thursday, saying the incident brought disrepute to the country because the attack had received wide international publicity.
Jayasuriya said the attack smacked of impunity because as on previous occasions when mobs took the law into their own hands, police officials had been standing by while the Pepiliyana Fashion Bug attack took place.
Issuing a call for communal harmony, the UNP Parliamentarian said Sri Lanka’s independence had been won by the unity of all communities in the country.
“When India and Burma shed blood to win independence, our leaders won independence by the strength of amity and unity,” he said.
The senior politician recalled that similar incidents had taken place inside the Hulftsdorp complex during the impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.
“The gangs carrying poles against the former Chief Justice assaulted the rival groups inside the Court premises chasing behind them. Even on this day the police officers were rendered helpless in the presence of the political powers. Pictures of these goons appeared in the newspapers. Tents were erected opposite the former Chief Justice’s residence and milk rice was served. She was subjected to ridicule,” Jayasuriya recalled.
The UNP MP said that the breakdown in the rule of law was a result of a politicized public service and police. “Independent efficient officers have been neglected. This is the cause for the deterioration of law and order in the country,” he said.
Jayasuriya also criticized the crackdown on political activity in the North. He said the recent attacks on the TNA office in Kilinochchi cast shadows over impending elections in the Northern Province.
“Six supporters of the TNA were injured when stones were thrown at their district office in Kilinochchi, on the 30th morning. It was reported in the newspapers that the persons responsible for the incident were wearing masks. This was confirmed by the TNA MPs. Police reports too have accepted these incidents. Is it possible to conduct democratic elections in the North under these circumstances?” he questioned.
Jayasuriya warned that such attacks would cause democratically elected MPs to become more hard-line. “Apart from this, when accusations are aimed at the country for suppression of human rights through these incidents, the country will be subjected to more accusation and disrepute,” he warned.
(DB)
