Attacks on SLRC staff tarnish country’s image - JVP

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa said the attacks on the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) employees will tarnish the country’s image internationally. He added that these tragic events will be used by various “imperialistic forces” to intervene in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka.

“A government minister attacking a government institution will be used by these imperialistic forces to depict Sri Lanka as a country where there are gross human rights violations. The government seems not to understand this and allows these attacks to continue,” he said. These incidents show the deterioration of democracy in the country, the JVP Parliamentarian added.

“The fact that government employees have to defend themselves from a government minister shows the deterioration of Sri Lankan democracy. If the government can’t defend its employees, what’s the use of such a government,” Weerawansa queried.

He added that the whole country knows who is behind these attacks and the fact that the Police has not apprehended anyone only shows government’s interference. “The Police is capable but there are forces that prevent their actions. Five SLRC employees were attacked, these incidents could have been easily prevented, if the government took proper action regarding the December 27 incident,” he said. Meanwhile, Mass Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said the government is doing all it can to apprehend those who were responsible for the attacks. “We are currently conducting investigations on these attacks. We have even apprehended one of the assailants,” he said.

Mervyn in verbal brawl in P’ment

Sparks flew in Parliament yesterday when an intense verbal battle ensued between opposition MPs and Minister Mervyn Silva regarding the attacks on Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) employees yesterday. The opposition MPs chanted “Dr. Delipihi,” when the Minister entered Parliament. The session deteriorated into chaos as Mervyn Silva retorted.

“The United National Party (UNP) has no right to talk about media freedom. They killed so many journalists in the past like Richard de Soyza and Premakeertahi de Alwis.

So how can they talk about media freedom,’ Silva charged.

The Minister added that he is innocent and the allegations against him are part of a UNP conspiracy. He said there are no complaints lodged against him and that UNP MP Ravi Karunaratne is behind the attacks on SLRC employees.

“I’m innocent of all allegations against me. I did not attack anyone and I am ready to assist the investigation. It is Ravi Karunaratne who is behind the attacks,’ he alleged.