This is the special statement of Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the Opposition in the parliament on today regarding Weliveriya massacre
(Lanka-e-News-06.Aug.2013, 5.30PM)
1. Since over two weeks back the people around the Haleys factory in Rathupaswala area continued to carry out demonstrations demanding potable water. After that demonstration, on 1st August, the Weliveriya Town turned out to be a battle field. The clash between the Army and the people around including those who are residing in the area dragged on until the night. Military attacks had been made even on those who had gone to the church for their safety and gun firings had been made even inside the church. Not only that, shots had been fired to the sky by going along the road around the area. Those who held discussions with me and those who came to see me explained about these gun firings.
2. There are many questions arisen on this clash. The Police say that there are a number of other teams linked to this clash. Anyhow, the Government should be responsible for this incident. It cannot get away from this problem.
2.1 Why did not the Government seek for a solution to this problem by having discussions with relevant parties before it turned out to be a battle?
2.2 There was a demonstration also in Belummahara area caused by the same problem of potable water. After conclusion of the demonstration there was no block whatsoever made to the transportation along Kandy Road. If so, why did they enter Weliveriya area and create unrest? Why did the Army go to that area?
3. Why was the Army, rather than the Police, deployed to Weliveriya area? An explanation must be made as to why, in the first place, was the Police not deployed to settle this clash.
4. There are a number of methods to disperse a public demonstration or a protest. Deployment of riot control groups, water attacks, tear gas attacks, rubber bullets etc. can be used. Warnings should be issued in all three languages before shooting. But it appears that none of these alternatives have been performed.
5. The students named Akila Dinesh Jayawardena and Ravishan Perera, and Nilantha Pushpakumara took no part in this demonstration. The student, Akila Dinesh Jayawardena submitted to that attack when he had gone to take his mother back home from her work place and the student Ravishan Perera had encountered this sad lot while returning home after classes. Nilantha Pushpakumara has been subjected to this attack while returning to the abode after his day’s work. The student, Ravishan Perera who was readying to sit for the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination this year has died due to this attack.
6. Not only that, also the attacks on the journalists should be investigated.
7. What are the proofs available to say that this clash was instigated by other groups?
8. An independent investigation acceptable to the whole country should be made on this incident.
9. I request the Government to promptly resolve the drinking water problem of these people.
10. Although the lives of the innocent school children and the youth cannot be valued in terms of money, I request the Government to expeditiously pay a satisfactory compensation to those who have been killed and injured.
(Lanka-e-News-06.Aug.2013, 5.30PM) 1. Since over two weeks back the people around the Haleys factory in Rathupaswala area continued to carry out demonstrations demanding potable water. After that demonstration, on 1st August, the Weliveriya Town turned out to be a battle field. The clash between the Army and the people around including those who are residing in the area dragged on until the night. Military attacks had been made even on those who had gone to the church for their safety and gun firings had been made even inside the church. Not only that, shots had been fired to the sky by going along the road around the area. Those who held discussions with me and those who came to see me explained about these gun firings.
2. There are many questions arisen on this clash. The Police say that there are a number of other teams linked to this clash. Anyhow, the Government should be responsible for this incident. It cannot get away from this problem.
2.1 Why did not the Government seek for a solution to this problem by having discussions with relevant parties before it turned out to be a battle?
2.2 There was a demonstration also in Belummahara area caused by the same problem of potable water. After conclusion of the demonstration there was no block whatsoever made to the transportation along Kandy Road. If so, why did they enter Weliveriya area and create unrest? Why did the Army go to that area?
3. Why was the Army, rather than the Police, deployed to Weliveriya area? An explanation must be made as to why, in the first place, was the Police not deployed to settle this clash.
4. There are a number of methods to disperse a public demonstration or a protest. Deployment of riot control groups, water attacks, tear gas attacks, rubber bullets etc. can be used. Warnings should be issued in all three languages before shooting. But it appears that none of these alternatives have been performed.
5. The students named Akila Dinesh Jayawardena and Ravishan Perera, and Nilantha Pushpakumara took no part in this demonstration. The student, Akila Dinesh Jayawardena submitted to that attack when he had gone to take his mother back home from her work place and the student Ravishan Perera had encountered this sad lot while returning home after classes. Nilantha Pushpakumara has been subjected to this attack while returning to the abode after his day’s work. The student, Ravishan Perera who was readying to sit for the G.C.E. Advanced Level examination this year has died due to this attack.
6. Not only that, also the attacks on the journalists should be investigated.
7. What are the proofs available to say that this clash was instigated by other groups?
8. An independent investigation acceptable to the whole country should be made on this incident.
9. I request the Government to promptly resolve the drinking water problem of these people.
10. Although the lives of the innocent school children and the youth cannot be valued in terms of money, I request the Government to expeditiously pay a satisfactory compensation to those who have been killed and injured.
