Govt. trying to create a lawless country, charges Tilvin

The tear gas attack on the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) demonstration in Galle calling for the release of Sarath Fonseka was a well planned attack by the government, claimed JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva.

It was an attack on a peaceful demonstration and it was unwarranted. Anybody has the right to demonstrate. Even government members protested in front of the United Nations office in Colombo. But the government condoned it while it attacked the JVP-DNA demonstration, Tilvin Silva said while addressing a media briefing at party headquarters at Pelawatte in Battaramulla.

The attack in Galle was a well planned one. The police divided our group before attacking. Even a journalist was attacked as was 

shown over several electronic and other media. Where did the police get that sort of strength, if not backed by the government, Mr. Silva asked. This shows that they were acting on orders from above, charged the JVP General Secretary.

For the first time in history JVP-DNA members who went to the police to lodge complaints were arrested accusing them of being the attackers, added Tilvin.

“There are two methods followed by the government to silence the opposition. One is to give them perks and positions to silence them. The other was to directly attack the opposition, like what they did to us,” claimed Tilvin Silva.

The government is trying to set up a lawless country using the police to its advantage, he said.

“Release our members in custody. Or else we will continue demonstrations,” Tilvin warned the government. He added that necessary steps have already been taken to inform international human rights groups regarding the recent attacks. They are to file legal action against the Galle Police as well, he said.

JVP member and DNA parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake, while addressing the same media briefing said that they did not accept the Court Martial verdict against Sarath Fonseka. 

As a senior government officer he had all the rights to discuss anything with others and the Opposition as well. That was not wrong, said Mr. Dissanayake while adding that the party was preparing to appeal against the verdict in the Court of Appeal.

“There are enough instances in history where the Appeal Court has overturned Court Martial decisions,” he pointed out.