'Army not involved in handling riots, demos'

The Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) has refuted allegations that the Army is deployed to maintain law and order and to control trade union demonstrations.

MCNS said the Government had no plans to deploy the Army to handle riots and demonstrations.

"Unarmed policemen tried to handle the demonstration at the Free Trade Zone Katunayake and we never deployed the Army to control the clash between workers and policemen.

The clash erupted due to some policemen who went to the scene, unaware of the situation", he said.

He said the Army was only deployed to maintain security and the police was entrusted to maintain law and order.

"The media should also be responsible in reporting these issues", he said.