MP and Min Sec under Police
probe for Kandy Violence
KAVINDYA CHRIS THOMAS- MAR 21 2018
Investigations are underway into a Parliamentarian and Ministry Secretary’s involvement in the communal unrest in Kandy, following the arrest of three Joint Opposition (JO) and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Pradeshiya Sabha Members, who had allegedly led the violence.
Revealing the identities of the politicians, Co-Cabinet Spokesperson Minister of Health Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said that the identity of the MP will be revealed in due course.
However, he noted that the MP, in question, in collaboration with a Ministerial Secretary are alleged to have intimidated the Police and Special Task Force officers who were deployed to quell the violence in the Kandy administrative District, earlier this month.
Dr. Senaratne noted, and Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara affirmed that three SLPP Member of the several Pradeshiya Sabhas, are among the arrested.
It was also noted that investigations are underway, after being identified through Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage, for the arrest of politically affiliated Buddhist monks. The suspects, also Members of the SLPP, have been allegedly involved in spearheading the riots in several areas.
Overall, 314 suspects have been arrested from 4 March to 18 March for their riotous behaviour, both in and outside the Kandy administrative District.
The suspects who were arrested on charges of inciting and participating in violence, with regard to the Kandy incidents, will be charged under the terms of the Emergency Regulations and the general laws.
