JVP blames factory and Police for villagers’ protest
Tuesday, 18 March 2014 01:03
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The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) says that the villagers in Thunnana, Hanwella were provoked to protest by the rubber factory in the area and the Police.
The party has also rubbished the claim by Police Spokesperson SSP Ajith Rohana that a group of people with vested interests had instigated the residents to protest.
The unruly protest by the villagers against the rubber factory in the area turned violent when they blocked the main highway High Level Road and Police were forced to use tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd.
During the protest a tree felled by the villages fell on the Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of Borella Police Prasad Siriwardhana, injuring him fatally.
JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva told a news conference that SSP Rohana had indirectly alleged that Opposition politicians were behind the incident without knowing the proper facts.
He noted that tear gas was fired at women who were observing sil at the nearby Jayasumanarama Temple, adding that there was no justification for firing tear gas at a temple on a full moon Poya Day.
According to Silva, the Police Spokesperson has made it a habit to make baseless political statements casting doubts over his role as a Police officer.
The JVP General Secretary charged that the “politicisation of the Police is clearly evident when you see the manner in which they maintain law and order in relation to election laws and their violators”.
