Imithiaz calls out President on his duplicity concerning the ‘Aragalaya’

• Accuses President of contradicting his own assurances to protestors 
• Says repression cannot happen without blessings of the President
• Warns people of grave threats to country’s democracy 

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar has called out President Ranil Wickremesinghe on his duplicity relating to the Aragalaya and its peaceful protestors. “Once he was appointed, he created a sense of hope by claiming he was not against the citizen’s struggle. He even promised to appoint a committee to look into their needs and not repress the people’s right to protest peacefully. 

“He included a politician, the Municipal Council and even the Police into the Committee and claimed all necessary facilities to continue the struggle will be provided,” Markar said. “He said this in words but he is doing something drastically different through his actions today,” Makar pointed out.

The MP made these comments during a press conference held by the SJB in Colombo yesterday. 

“If he was truly a democratic leader he would have not signed these detention orders under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and allowed for the arrests of innocent and peaceful students activists under a law that is meant for those carrying out crimes against the State,” Markar said. 

“There is a great contradiction between what was said and what is being done today,” he noted. According to Markar, the President is attempting to deceive the people. Markar called on the people to not fall for the fairy tales spun by Wickremesinghe. “We will have to answer to the International Human Rights Organisations in the end,” he said. 

“This will not only be a threat to the country’s democracy but it will also threaten our economic state. The country was severely affected by the loss of the GSP+ concession. Where are we heading now? None of the criticisms against the country by international organisations is being reported in the media,” he said. 

Markar accused a possible cat’s paw of influencing the media. “Head of media organisations, swimming champions, student’s activists and others are being summoned to the CID. What is the aim of these actions? The message is that the Government is ready to hunt anyone opposing them or attempting to obstruct the revival of those who caused this economic collapse. The people must understand this. Repression of those opposing the Government cannot take place without the blessings of the President,” Markar added.