The government of Sri Lanka has taken the measure to declare a state of emergency and an islandwide curfew to ensure the public’s security, the Department of Government Information said in a press release.
Emphasising that the government is committed to protecting the people’s democratic right to speech, right to freedom of expression, right to assembly and right to protest, the statement added that the incumbent President has never launched a baton assault, tear gas or water against a peaceful protest since he assumed office.
It added that in some cases, representatives of the demonstrators were called in to the Presidential Secretariat to discuss issues and resolve them and even an agitation site has been reserved near the Office for protests and demonstrations.
“During the protest organised in the Mirihana area on Thursday, March 31, some people behaved in a riotous manner and caused damaged to public and private property, while some people were injured,” the statement added.
The press release by the Info Dept also claimed that the damage done to the properties due to the riots is Rs. 39 million.
The state of emergency and curfew were imposed in accordance with accepted legal provisions with the aim of protecting public life, public order and public and private property, the statement further noted.
MIAP
