Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa says that the Rajapaksa government, which has a history of ‘murderous bloodshed’, has returned to its usual brutal manner today.
He stressed the need for an immediate inquiry into the attack through a team of retired judges and called for a meeting of party leaders today with the Secretary to the Ministry of Defense, the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Defense, the Inspector General of Police and the Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of the area.
The Minister of Public Defense Prasanna Ranatunga has stated that the police fired on a protest in Rambukkana yesterday (19) in accordance with the Police Ordinance and that the police have the necessary powers to do so.
The Minister said that the protesters had tried to set fire to a bowser containing 33,000 liters of fuel and if that had happened, there would not have been a Rambukkana left today.
He also accused the opposition, led by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, of intensifying the recent protests in the country by drawing people by buses.
Addressing Parliament this morning (20), the Minister made this special statement amidst strong opposition from opposition members. They were seen protesting, calling the minister a “murderer.”
Political sources say that the SLPP government is in danger of losing a simple majority of 113 seats in Parliament today (20).
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the Wimal-Gammanpila-Vasudeva alliance have left the SLPP government, which won a two-thirds majority in the 2020 general elections. Accordingly, the government was left with about 118 seats.
Sources said that a group of former ministers who are disappointed with the government over the recent appointment of a new cabinet is also in talks to become independent. It is said that considering the intensified opposition in the country following the police firing in Rambukkana yesterday, the government is likely to lose its 113 majority today.
It is reported that the people of the area have started a protest in front of the Carlton House belonging to the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Tangalle.
Accordingly, security forces have been deployed in front of the house.
It is reported that people in many parts of the island are still protesting by blocking main roads today (20).
They are protesting against rising fuel prices and fuel shortages.
Accordingly, a mass agitation has been going on in the Balapitiya area blocking the Galle Road since this morning.
Also, a group of residents in the area is protesting by blocking the Badulla – Passara road and it is said that the traffic has been restricted to one lane.
Also, the protest launched by the people blocking the Galle Road in Panadura yesterday is still active today.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had a special secret meeting with Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena last night (19), sources said.
It is said that the Prime Minister has summoned the Speaker to discuss the matter as there is a risk of the government losing the majority of 113 members in Parliament today (20).
Sources said that the Prime Minister had asked the Speaker whether he should resign before the government loses its majority and collapses as opposition to the government has intensified following the police firing in Rambukkana yesterday.
However, sources further stated that the Speaker has stated that there is no risk of the government losing the 113 majority in Parliament so far and therefore there is no need for the Prime Minister to resign.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) is shocked and saddened by the death of a man in a police attack on a public protest in Rambukkana, said its President Saliya Peiris.
He said that an independent inquiry should be conducted into the incident and that the government should ensure that the security forces exercise maximum restraint in dealing with the protests of the people in the face of real difficulties.
He further stated that the members of his association will continue to stand up for the security and rights of the people of the country.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has strongly condemned the brutal killing of Chaminda Lakshan, a resident of Rambukkana.
He also said that an independent inquiry should be held immediately into this brutal murder.
The Leader of the Opposition said that this attack was indicative of the vile nature of the Rajapaksa government and that it was the usual policy of the Rajapaksas.
He said that all those responsible for the murder would be brought to justice and severe punishment would be meted out to them.
Sajith Premadasa said this in a special statement issued last night (19).
Inspector-General of Police Chandana D. Wickramaratne claims the Police had used “minimum force” during the protest in Rambukkana yesterday(19).
The Police had opened fire on the protesters killing one person and injuring at least 24 others.
Issuing a statement, the IGP said that the Police had to use minimum force to prevent a major incident. He said the Police had to prevent the protesters from setting fire to a truck transporting 30,000 litres of fuel.
The Police had earlier opened fire on a group of protesters in Rambukkana killing one person and injuring a number of others. Police Spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nihal Thalduwa said that the Police had opened fire after initially using tear gas.
According to the Police, the protesters had blocked the railway track and protested in the area for several hours. The Police had advised the protesters to cleat the tracks but the request was rejected.
The Police media unit said that a number of policemen were also injured in the incident.
Sri Lanka’s largest private sector employer, MAS Holdings, has stepped into support calls of youth for change in Sri Lanka.
MAS had issued a statement expressing support of its citizen’s right to participate in peaceful protests and the freedom of expression.
Given the ensuing events, MAS recently reiterated the need for immediate and decisive action to resolve the current economic and social crisis, in a peaceful and sustainable manner.
“As a responsible organization, we unconditionally support the call for change and good governance, and earnestly request the nation’s leaders to heed the voice of the people and act on it, whilst respecting legal and constitutional due process,” MAS Holdings said.
As the largest private sector employer and exporter in Sri Lanka, MAS says it is also acutely aware of its role in maintaining the stability of Sri Lanka’s economy.
“To this end, it is crucial that we focus on delivering on our commitments to our customers without disruption, to protect the livelihoods of our 92,000 associates, their families, and the country.
The apparel industry has been the lifeblood of Sri Lanka’s economy through many turbulent and crucial junctures in our history. We remain confident that together, we can overcome this crisis, and bring about lasting change to build our country back, betterm,” MAS Holdings said.
MAS further noted that it is supporting communities island wide during this time of hardship through its social outreach programs by assisting those that are the most adversely affected by the crisis.
MAS Holdings, the Sri Lankan based design to delivery solutions provider, has announced its company-wide sustainability strategy, the MAS Plan For Change.
Knowing it operates in an industry with a large negative impact, The Plan For Change outlines three focus areas to improve its operations: Product, Lives, and Planet, with twelve goals to be achieved by 2025.
MAS has also recently signed up for the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) with commitments to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 25.2% by 2025 from a 2019 base year, and further commits that 85% of its suppliers by spend and 100% of joint ventures in scope 3 investments, will have science-based targets by 2025.
The Plan For Change is a commitment to inspiring sustainable change within its operations, amongst its customers, communities, and for the planet as a whole.
MAS Holdings is the largest apparel tech company in South Asia, headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka with facilities in 15 countries, powered by over 100,000 employees globally.
Since its founding in 1987, MAS has prioritized employee wellbeing based on a founding principle of doing the right thing and providing safe, secure, and comfortable places of work, with fair, equitable wages for team members.
This core principle percolates to all areas of business, including the relationships built with brand customers, work in local communities, the ethical treatment of people, and actions towards the natural environment.
Over three decades, MAS created many programs and initiatives aimed at improving workers’ lives, the products it makes, and the planet.
MAS acknowledges that the industry it operates in has significant negative impacts and it is doing its part to mitigate these effects.
The Plan For Change combines the work of these individual programs and formalises the goals into one cohesive strategy to be carried out across the group.
While the Plan For Change is a new strategic approach to the company’s product, social and environmental goals, MAS has been dedicated to uplifting people and the planet since its inception.
Progress towards sustainability is an ongoing journey for the company and is demonstrated by its long-standing membership in the UN Global Compact (since 2003), signing of the Women’s Empowerment Principles, commitment to reaching many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and partnerships with the IFC, SAC, ZDHC and many others.
MAS recognizes that addressing many of the challenges the world and its inhabitants face requires sustainable, systemic change and is committed to doing so through ambitious, collaborative initiatives.