Ranil comes under attack

Thursday, 14 November 2013 01:16 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Dharisha Bastians Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was attacked by demonstrators outside the UNP’s Sirikotha Headquarters, who were opposing the hosting of a Human Rights Festival inside the premises. Hundreds of pro-government protestors thronged the UNP Headquarters in Pita Kotte and attacked the Opposition Leader’s vehicle when it neared the Sirikotha gates. Speaking at the Festival, Wickremesinghe said the attack on him was simply one illustration of what was taking place

in the country. UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera told Daily FT that the demonstrators had pelted stones at the Opposition Leader’s vehicle, attacked the windows and attempted to jostle and topple it. “Many of these demonstrators were transported here in Ministry of Public Administration vehicles,” said Samaraweera. The Samagi Human Rights Festival was scheduled on the sidelines of CHOGM 2013 to highlight the erosion of Commonwealth values in Sri Lanka. The event brought together families of the disappeared and featured exhibits symbolic of the erosion of civil liberties and justice in the country. Demonstrators in large numbers outside Sirikotha attempted to prevent crowds from entering the premises. Holding posters and billboards that asked about the human rights of soldiers killed by the LTTE, the demonstrators mobbed the area. Riot police was deployed outside Sirikotha to control the demonstration. First UNP Leadership Council meet today The UNP Leadership Council will hold its inaugural meeting today. Religious ceremonies have been organised at 8:15 a.m. before the Council begins work. The Council will meet at the UNP’s Sirikotha Headquarters. Parliamentarian Karu Jayasuriya will chair the Council that has now whittled down to seven members after former UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa and MP Thalatha Athukorale declined to sit on the recently constituted board.