Demo near CIABOC:

Pro-Gota protesters claim unaware of ban

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

UPFA parliamentarians and Provincial Councillors who staged a demonstration near the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on April 23 said they were not informed against holding any demonstration opposite CIABOC on that day.

Colombo District UPFA parliamentarian Gamini Lokuge told the Sunday Observer that they didn’t take part in any demonstration, but were only chanting Pirith opposite the CIABOC. However, we would appear before court on May 8, after summons are issued.

Digamadulla District UPFA parliamentarian Sarath Weerasekera said that he was unaware of any court order issued against participating in a demonstration. “I joined the demonstration in support of former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa who played a leading role to eradicate terrorism from the country.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the former Defence Secretary are legendary national heroes who made an immense contribution to safeguard the motherland from the clutches of terrorism. That is why I also joined the demonstration to give a moral boost to them.” The MP said that has not yet received any summons.

UPFA parliamentarian Dullas Alahaperuma declined to comment on the court order issued as it would amount to contempt of court.

“As a law-abiding citizen, I have never resorted to any breach of the law or even go to a police station or court.

”However, MP Alahapperuma said that the media should ask Police Spokesman as to why the police remained silent when similar protests were staged opposite the Bribery Commission by the JVP and the JHU a couple of months ago.

The MP expressed serious concern about the police not taking any steps to prevent such demonstrations.

The law should be equal to all, but it doesn’t happen now, the MP alleged.

UPFA Colombo District parliamentarian Bandula Gunawardane denied taking part in any demonstration or issuing any notice on him by the court.

Colombo Chief Magistrate, Gihan Pilapitiya, on Friday issued notice on 27 persons including prominent UPFA parliamentarians and Provincial Councillors who staged a demonstration opposite the CIABOC on April 23 defying court orders, to appear before court on May 8.

The court had issued notice on UPFA MPs Dullas Alahapperuma, Janaka Priyantha Bandara, Sarath Weerasekara, Roshan Ranasinghe, Jayantha Ketagoda, Udith Lokubandara, Gamini Lokuge, Bandula Gunawardane, S. M. Chandrasena, Weerakumara Dissanayake along with Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and Provincial Councillors Udaya Gammanpila, Upali Kodikara, Roger Seneviratne, Janaka Kumara, Sunil Jayamini, Madumadawa Aravinda and Ajantha Liyanage to appear in Court on May 08. Ven.Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thera, Ven.Vakande Saddatissa Thera, Ven.Muruttatuwe Ananda Thera, Ven.Medagoda Abhayatissa Thera, Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera, Ven. Vitharandeniye Nanda Thera, Ven. Ahungalle Jinananda Thera, Ven.Biyagama Susila Thera and Ven.Vatinapaha Somananda Thera were noticed to appear in Court on May 8.