Muzzamil condemns attack on UNP meeting

UNP Mayoral Candidate A.J.M. Muzzamil condemned the dastardly attack carried out by thugs on the UNP meeting in Colombo. Following is the text of his statement:

“The same Government that boldly claimed they will have no problems winning the upcoming Colombo Municipal Council elections has now resorted to brutality and thuggery in desperate attempts to stifle the will of the people. The Government has realised the futility of its attempts to deceive the citizens of Colombo through breaking election laws, blatant abuse of public resources; and is now resorting to electoral violence against the opposition.

“This was startlingly evident by the incident that took place yesterday (19 September, 2011). Yesterday, there was a malicious attack by thugs at a UNP meeting. The attack led to the destruction of the home of the gentleman who organised the event. The crime he was guilty of was the exercise of his democratic franchise.

“There is credible evidence that this attack took place with the blessings of an elected member of the Government. These thugs then proceeded to my election office in Bambalapitiya, where they destroyed vehicles that were used for election purposes. One has to question the rhetoric of the opposition candidate who claims to be a gentleman and a scholar – why has he not condemned this attack? The response by this candidate to this heinous crime is a true reflection of his character.

“The dauntless support shown by the people of Colombo to the UNP during this election is undoubtedly why the current regime does endorse such brutal tactics as a last resort. They fail to understand that the abuse of Government resources, pumping in vast sums of money and using violence will not reap dividends on election day. Conversely, they must learn that these deterrent tactics will not stop or prevent the aspirations of the people from reaching fruition. Perhaps the Government has yet to learn that people power is the indestructible powerhouse and will prevail over everything.

“The Government will see that the people of Colombo will resist all attempts at violence and coercion and truth will prevail, as it has in the past.  I remain confident that, as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, the people of Colombo will go to the polls on 8 October to deliver a resounding verdict for democracy.”