by Shamindra Ferdinando
Opposition activists led by Buddhist monks yesterday protested outside the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) demanding an immediate end to the persecution of former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as well as other key members of the previous administration.
The protest was launched against the CIABOC questioning Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as regards some allegations made against him. The former Defence Secretary is under investigation over corruption at Mihin Lanka and Avant Garde Maritime Services.
The Opposition went ahead with the demonstration in spite of the Colombo Chief Magistrate banning the protest following police intervention.
Some of those at the protest expressed fears of the government stepping up its offensive in the wake of the previous day’s arrest of former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa over allegations of fraud and remanded till May 5.
Having given a statement to the CIABOC, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa walked out of the premises amidst cheers. Subsequently, the war veteran visited his brother Basil warded at the Welikada prison hospital.
Police spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekera said that action would be taken against those who had been involved in the protest outside CIABOC disregarding the magisterial directive. Police headquarters on Wednesday evening announced the prohibition order in a bid to discourage Pivithuru Hela Urumaya from organising the protest.
Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader and Western Provincial Councillor Udaya Gammanpila told The Island that the government was concerned about Gotabhaya Rajapaksa joining the parliamentary election fray, hence the attempt to tarnish his image. Gammanpila said that the government feared to face Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in Colombo, though the city traditionally favoured the UNP.
President Maithripala Sirisena is on record as having said that the parliament would be dissolved in May to pave the way for fresh election.
Responding to a query, Gammanpila emphasized that the right thinking people couldn’t turn a blind eye to on-going smear campaign directed at one of the heroes of our times. Gammanpila alleged that the CIABOC had been functioning as an appendage of the UNP at the expense of neutrality.
Asked whether he was ready to face the consequences of having the protest in spite of a court directive, Gammanpila said that protesters marched from All Ceylon Buddhist Congress to CIABOC without causing any disruption. Gammanpila said that members of the Maha Sangha chanted pirith outside CIABOC, therefore the police shouldn’t seek to harass Opposition activists on false grounds.
Gammanpila alleged that the on-going UNP project was meant to weaken the SLFP led Opposition.
Courtesy:The Island