Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Was there a conspiracy to topple the government

The government today said that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) sleuths are questioning several suspects including the convener of the IUSF Wasantha Mudalige detained under the provisions of Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to determine whether there was a conspiracy to topple the government.

The Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) was a must to tackle the recent wave of terrorism and as such no one would be arrested or charges filed against any Sri Lankan citizen who has not committed any act of violence during the protest campaigns, cabinet spokesman, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said addressing the weekly cabinet press briefing.

He also said that the Convenor of the IUSF and two other IUSF members Ven. Galwewa Siridhamma Thera and Hashan Jeewantha would be detained under the provisions of Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) until the recording of their statements are concluded.

The CID was still in the process of questioning them for further information on the matter, he added.

He also said that the government was in the process of replacing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) with a new National Security Act (NSA) and Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was attending to the task.

Minister Gunawardana said the dastardly acts of violence that took place on May 9 this year was a stigma not only to the country but to the parliamentary democracy practiced in Sri Lanka for nearly 100 years.

I have never engaged in any kind of law breaking, violence or unbecoming action. I have never obtained the house allowance paid to ministers or lived in official residences. Never obtained an official weapon (revolver) for my personal use. I am living in a house built with earnings I raised from my blood and sweat. But what happened on May 9th. My house was set on fire destroying it totally with two of my vehicles. My family lived in total fear for several weeks. If these protesters do not let a law abiding, innocent Sri Lankan like me to live in peace with my family in my own house, who are they? Should not the PTA apply on them and take punitive action against them under the law of the land?” Minister Gunawardana asked.

“During the reign of terror on May 9th, residences and properties of 72 Parliamentarians, ministers and deputy and state ministers’ including houses had been subjected to arson attacks by hooligans. The SLPP Parliamentarian Amarakeerti Atukorale together with his bodyguard were murdered in a beastly manner incomprehensible. Should not these murderers be charged under the PTA?” he asked.

Minister Gunawardana assured that charges will be framed under the PTA only on those who have committed extreme violence on innocent civilians and politicians. Those who have committed petty crimes would be charged under the normal law, namely under the civil procedure code or criminal procedure code. (Sandun Jayasekera)