By Saman Indrajith-September 3, 2013
UNP and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday demanded in parliament to know whether the suspects who intruded the residence of Associate Editor of The Sunday Leader newspaper, Mandana Ismail last week had come there to rob the jewellery or in search of some documents.
Following is the unedited translation of Wickremesinghe’s statement provided to the press after he made the statement to the House: "A gang who entered the residence of Mrs. Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema, the Co-editor of ‘The Sunday Leader’ Newspaper during the early hours on 24th August 2013 had attacked and threatened her and had searched for something by remaining in the house nearly for three hours. It has been reported that, during that period, one among them had carried out the search by connecting with somebody over the mobile phone.
One of those who entered the house had also told that it is a contract. Later the Police entered the premises on information made by her husband and the ensuing clash resulted in the death of one member of the gang and four of them had been taken into custody.
"What is the present position of the Police inquiries into this incident?
"What have these people searched for such a long time? What are the telephone numbers and who are the persons they had contacted over the mobile phones?
"What are the names of those who were killed and arrested after the clash?
"What are the relationships among them? If there are Security Forces Personnel among those who were killed and arrested, who are they? What are their Regiments?
"What are the steps taken for future security of Mrs. Abeywickrema?
"There had been continuous assassinations, disappearances, abductions, attacks and threats to journalists throughout the recent past. What are the steps intended to be taken for creating an environment of safety for the journalists where they can carry out their work with no fear and uncertainty?
