By Camelia Nathaniel

The UNP Gampaha District MP Karu Jayasuriya today condemned the attack by an armed gang on senior attorney Gunaratne Wanninayake on Monday. He said that Wanninayake was a strong voice that stood up to protect the integrity and independence of the Judiciary.

Addressing a press conference today, Jayasuriya said that the armed attackers had fled the scene after the attack in a white van. “My question is can regular persons travel freely in broad daylight armed with weapons, and how were they able to evade the security forces undetected? It is very clear that regular people of this country could not have carried out this attack. The general public is well aware of who is behind this attack.”

He further added that on a prior occasion a similar incident had taken place in Mount Lavinia where the secretary of the judicial services commission Manjula Tillakaratne was assaulted. “Until today however no action has been taken to arrest those responsible for the attack. This is why we are voicing our protest against these injustices. It is very evident of the way the country is deteriorating day by day,” he said.

Internationally there is mounting pressure against the government’s attempt to manipulate and pressure the judiciary. “This is in addition to the accusations against the government for the violation of human rights. However the government officials who are basking in the glory of the 2/3 majority have yet not understood this situation. This government cannot constantly suppress the people by tear gas attacks, poles and guns,” added Jayasuriya.

He said that the time has come for the people to focus their attention on the manner in which public funds are being squandered by the power hungry politicians. “The night races held last weekend is an ideal example of the colossal wastage of public funds, where the general public was greatly inconvenienced. Due to the tax concessions for the importation of cars for the night races the country had lost an enormous sum of around Rs. 200 million. Although the government boasted of foreign participation at the races, there were no internationally recognized participants at the races. What are the benefits the country got after spending such a huge amount?” he questioned.

Jayasuriya said that these extravagant events are organized for the amusement and pleasure of a handful of privileged persons that is costing millions of public funds. “This country still does not have the right atmosphere to stage such events of this nature. There are still many families in this country who can barely afford three square meals, and wasting such amounts of money on unproductive events is a grave crime,” he said.COURTESY:CEYLON TODAY