-Until Democracy is enthroned and MaRa regime is dethroned we shall campaign
(Lanka-e-News-18.Feb.2012,2.00PM) The police tear gassed and dispersed a mammoth joint demonstration staged yesterday (17) at the Fort led by the UNP along with other opposition political parties and civil Organizations against the MaRa regime’s atrocious and anti national activities including inordinate hardships imposed on the people , prevailing lawlessness , despotism and murder culture stoked by the ruthless regime.A more than necessary number of police officers was deployed to disperse the massive crowds. As the protestors got to the roads , the tear gassing was begun. Even before the demonstrators could stage their protests the police began the tear gassing.
Jayalath Jayawardena and Daya Gamage were among those who were victims of the police actions. They had to be hospitalized on account of injuries, reports say.
When the protestors turned away from the Fort Railway station and moved towards the SL telecom roundabout , the police once again attacked them with tear gas and water from hoses.
Owing to the huge crowds participating in the protests , the entire Olcott Mawatha and environs were closed .
It was most noteworthy that there were unprecedented massive crowds along with the opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and other leaders at the protests. The protestors around 5000 were seen on the streets in the night too. In order to preclude people’s participation the Regime had deliberately crippled the public transport service. It was very unfortunate that the people had no transport facilities to get back home.
The UNP, Democratic National Front (DNF), Nawa vamansika peramuna, Nawa sihala Urumaya, civil Organizations, Trade unions and several other Organizations took part in this mammoth campaign. The participation of the MPs of the Tamil National Alliance was a specially noteworthy feature.
Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing the milling crowds said, there is no justification at all for the present fuel price hikes. The world fuel prices have not risen and the import of fuel from Iran exclusively is still continuing , he pointed out . Therefore , this regime which is playing ducks and drakes with public funds and entering into underhand deals is making the people scapegoats for its monumental fiscal blunders .The wastage at the Petroleum Corporation alone is Rs. one hundred and twenty three thousand million , he pinpointed .
Wickrema Bahu Karunaratne who also participated at the protests said, representatives of the Tamil people and people of Hambantota are also taking part in the protests.
The leader of DNF , Mano Ganeshan speaking to Lanka e news, referring to the attacks launched by the police on the peaceful protestors said, these protests will not stop here. From tomorrow , these protests will be spread to every town in the country.
The UNP Gen. Secretary on behalf of the joint opposition parties issued a notice roundly condemning the police attack on the protestors at the demonstration at the Fort on 17th evening
We absolutely condemn the police attack on the protestors and civilian population at the peaceful demonstrations staged in front of the Fort Railway station by the opposition parties jointly against the steep fuel price hikes and the widespread lawlessness in the country .
The UNP Gen. Secretary on behalf of the joint opposition parties issued a notice roundly condemning the police attack on the protestors at the demonstration at the Fort on 17th evening
We absolutely condemn the police attack on the protestors and civilian population at the peaceful demonstrations staged in front of the Fort Railway station by the opposition parties jointly against the steep fuel price hikes and the widespread lawlessness in the country .
At a time when the people have been burden beyond unendurable limits , it shall be reminded that the uprising of the people against the atrocities and the prevailing murder culture cannot be stalled by the use of police powers and attacks.
Owing to the ruthless attacks launched on the peaceful protestors , several of them have sustained injuries.
May we warn that at this juncture when people are asking for relief , they cannot be controlled and intimidated into submission by police brutalities , without granting the people’s justifiable demands.
We once again strongly warn that unless and until the demands of the people are granted and Democracy is enthroned , we will carry on our campaign undeterred and undaunted with the object of dethroning the murderous , despotic and parasitic regime once and for all.
Owing to the ruthless attacks launched on the peaceful protestors , several of them have sustained injuries.
May we warn that at this juncture when people are asking for relief , they cannot be controlled and intimidated into submission by police brutalities , without granting the people’s justifiable demands.
We once again strongly warn that unless and until the demands of the people are granted and Democracy is enthroned , we will carry on our campaign undeterred and undaunted with the object of dethroning the murderous , despotic and parasitic regime once and for all.
