The United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on behalf of the United National Front (UNF) yesterday strongly condemned the arrest of Parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka. 

Issuing a statement Wickremesinghe said the law enforcement authorities did not follow accepted democratic and legal procedures to arrest Ranawaka.

“Law enforcement authorities did not follow due process to arrest a Parliamentarian. The Speaker was not informed with regard to the arrest,” Wickremesinghe stated.

He pointed out that the arrest was made with regard to case that was already heard and verdict delivered in Court. 

Wickremesinghe pointed out that the police was unable to provide justifiable reasons to arrest Ranawaka.

Wickremesinghe said during the UNF regime they took steps to depoliticise law enforcement agencies and State institutions to uphold rule of law.

“This Government came in to power pledging to bring discipline and rule of law, however their actions so far indicate that they are manipulating the law and flouting traditions in order to achieve political goals,” Wickremesinghe said in statement.

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