New detention laws only for Govt.’s political opponents: UNP
Main Opposition denounces attack on DIG’s son by Minister’s son
February 27, 2013
The main Opposition United National Party denounced the attack on Asela Waidyalankara by the son of a Senior Cabinet Minister yesterday, claiming that the immediate release of the suspects proved that the recently-enacted amendments to the detention laws in the country were only meant for use against political opponents.
Asela Waidyalankara, who is the son of Batticaloa DIG Ravi Waidyalankara, is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo after allegedly being assaulted by 13 people, including Minister Maithripala Sirisena’s son, at a holiday resort in Pasikudah.
All 13 suspects were released on Police bail on the night of the incident, even though the victim was receiving treatment in the ICU of the Batticaloa General Hospital.
UNP Spokesman Gayantha Karunathilake told a media briefing last morning that the Government was constantly proving that the law worked in different ways depending on how much political power someone wielded.
“The Government was in a tearing hurry to bring the new detention laws allowing the Police to detain a suspect for 48 hours. But this recent release of suspects including a Minister’s son proves that this law will be applied selectively,” Karunathilake told journalists.
The UNP MP said that the recent violence directed at a senior Police officer’s son and the inaction of law enforcement in the face of it was further proof of the overwhelming politicisation of the Police force.
Karunathilake called for a disciplinary inquiry against Minister Sirisena, who is also the General Secretary of the SLFP, the main constituent party in the ruling UPFA coalition.
“This Minister’s son has taken the law into his own hands – the question the people are asking now is whether the law has completely lost its force and effect on persons in positions of power?” the UNP Spokesman charged.
All 13 suspects were released on Police bail on the night of the incident, even though the victim was receiving treatment in the ICU of the Batticaloa General Hospital.
UNP Spokesman Gayantha Karunathilake told a media briefing last morning that the Government was constantly proving that the law worked in different ways depending on how much political power someone wielded.
“The Government was in a tearing hurry to bring the new detention laws allowing the Police to detain a suspect for 48 hours. But this recent release of suspects including a Minister’s son proves that this law will be applied selectively,” Karunathilake told journalists.
The UNP MP said that the recent violence directed at a senior Police officer’s son and the inaction of law enforcement in the face of it was further proof of the overwhelming politicisation of the Police force.
Karunathilake called for a disciplinary inquiry against Minister Sirisena, who is also the General Secretary of the SLFP, the main constituent party in the ruling UPFA coalition.
“This Minister’s son has taken the law into his own hands – the question the people are asking now is whether the law has completely lost its force and effect on persons in positions of power?” the UNP Spokesman charged.
Maithripala’s Son Released On Police Bail, DIG’s Son Transferred To A Private Hospital
By Colombo Telegraph -February 26, 2013 |
The son of the Deputy Inspector General of Police for Batticaloa, Ravi Waidyalankara has been transferred to a private hospital in Colombo for treatment of extensive injuries received after a group led by the son of powerful UPFA minister and ruling party Secretary Maithripala Sirisena allegedly assaulted him at a resort in Sri Lanka’s East Coast.
Maithripala Sirisena
All 13 suspects involved in the brutal assault, including the Minister’s son were released on police bail on Monday night.
Asela Waidyalanka was assaulted by the group of holiday-makers at a high end resort in the east coast town of Passikudah on Monday afternoon. The victim had objected to the allegedly intoxicated group snapping pictures of themselves indecently exposed with Waidyalankara, his wife and other hotel guests in the background.
Eyewitnesses said the attack had been instantaneous and the victim had been bruised and bloodied by his attackers.
Kalkudah Police who arrived on the scene to arrest the perpetrators were also nearly assaulted, witnesses said.
A senior DIG in charge of the Western Province telephoned the Kalkudah Police late Monday to order the release of the suspects, Colombo Telegraph learns. It is also learnt that several of the suspects have also obtained medical certificates in an attempt to prove that they were also injured in the confrontation.
