BY Cassendra Doole and Rathindra Kuruwita
Leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Wimal Weerawansa was grilled by the CID yesterday (23) in connection with an alleged demonstration he led in 2011 in Kaduwela. He arrived at the CID around 9:30 a.m. with a group of lawyers.
“Those who worked tirelessly towards freeing the country from the Tigers are now being taken into custody.
Allegations against me are not connected to my wife” said Weerawansa.
Meanwhile Colombo Chief Magistrate, Gihan Pilapitiya yesterday (23) authorized the CID to obtain a report on the health condition of Shashee Weerawansa from the Judicial Medical Officer, sources told Ceylon Today.
Furthermore, according to the National Freedom Front (NFF), the arrest of Shashee Weerawansa is an attempt of the government to thwart former UPFA Construction Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s attempts to gather nationalistic and progressive elements against imperialistic forces.
NFF Politburo member Piyasiri Wijenayake said that the government has continuously attempted to suppress its political opponents.
“The government also has a separatist agenda and Weerawansa has played a great role in gathering progressive forces against the government. NFF played the biggest role in gathering the crowd who attended the 18 February rally at Nugegoda. The government fears this force and is attempting to thwart Weerawansa’s journey,” he said, adding, “However we shall not stop our political journey.”
Meanwhile, Weerawansa said that “The allegations against my wife are false. We shall reveal this lie in court,” he said, adding “This is a case of unlawful assembly (referring to the recent Nugegoda rally), that is to say; organizing a rally during election time. I might have to come back and maybe next time my kids will also be charged.”
Weerawansa added that the government is using the law against those who try to stand against them. “This is an era where those who fought terrorism and their families are sent to jail. I was asked to arrive at the CID for a complaint lodged against me in 2011,” he said.
“The government is very worried after the rally of 18 February and they are using the law against those who stand against them. They are trying to stop our political journey, but we shall continue,” said Weerawansa.
Shashi Weerawansa was arrested on Sunday (22) at a private hospital in Malabe by the CID for allegedly being in possession of a fake diplomatic passport.
Courtesy:Ceylon Today