Wednesday, 7 August 2013 00:04
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The Government says investigations into the Weliweriya incident are also looking into reports that someone among the protestors had fired shots towards the security forces.
Government Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told Parliament yesterday that the protesters had also set fire to a three-wheeler and damaged public property. He, however, assured that an independent investigation will be carried out into the clashes and the perpetrators be brought to book.
The Minister denied reports that soldiers had attacked people who had sought shelter inside a church in the area during the violence. He said that claims that journalists who were attacked during the violence will also be investigated.
The Minister said that during the protest, when one group moved away after they were assured of a solution to their concerns, another group stayed back and threw petrol bombs and other objects towards the army.
Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the security forces eventually had to take measures in self defence. He also said that investigations will look into reports that 112 axed employees of the Hayleys company were involved in the clashes. The people in Weliweriya claim a glove factory operating under Hayleys was disposing chemicals which had contaminated the ground water in the area. (Colombo Gazette)
