Gota: A small group of unruly elements could exploit an isolated incident [August 10 2011]

The violence and looting raging across London was evidence how a small group of unruly elements could exploit an isolated incident to cause mayhem. Depending on their success, hundreds if not thousands could throw their weight behind a destructive campaign, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said in a local press interview today.

He said, similarly the recent violent protests at the Katunayake Export Processing Zone (EPZ) could have developed into a frightening situation had the government failed to take remedial action, though the police mishandled their task initially resulting in an unfortunate death, the Island reported.

Defence Secretary Rajapaksa observed that within 72 hours violence and looting had spread to three other major cities, Birmingham, Bristol and Liverpool.

The Defence Secretary had reportedly said that those critical of the Sri Lankan police tackling violent groups could see what was going on in London. Referring to a letter he received from German ambassador in Colombo Jens Plottner immediately after the incidents at the Katunayake EPZ, the Defence Secretary said that the German diplomat went to the extent of threatening Sri Lanka over the incident.