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Combat riders have number plates on the side: Army

06 Apr 2022

 
  • Army says side number plates standard for said unit
  • Army Commander assures govt. plates will be moved to front
  • IGP apologises for Police involvement
BY Pamodi Waravita and Dinitha Rathnayake Referring to the controversy over the combat riders of Army Special Forces who were seen at the protest held near the Parliament roundabout on Tuesday (5), the Army said that all such combat riders have the number plates on the side of the motorbike and Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando told Parliament that Army Commander General Shavendra Silva had assured him that the number plates would be fitted on to the front of the motorbikes by yesterday (6), while Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana D. Wickramaratne has apologised for the police officers’ involvement in the incident. A number of video reports on social media show several armed men on motorbikes attempting to reach the protesters near the Parliament on Tuesday. Reports further show the Police attempting to question them on their reasons for being there and the protesters booing them away. Speaking to The Morning, Military Spokesman Brig. Nilantha Premaratne announced that the army soldiers in four motorbikes were only passing the area on an assigned mission which was when they were disrupted by the Police while on their way. “All the motorbikes were registered under the Army and the number plates were on the side and not in the back. Combat riders in Army Special Forces have the number plates on the side.” Meanwhile, Fernando said in Parliament yesterday that he had called Gen. Silva regarding the said incident, and that the latter had assured him that the number plates of the bikes were on the side of the motorcycles. “Gen. Silva said that he will put them in front of the motorbikes by today (6). Those bikes were used during Covid-19-related operations also. We did not abduct or kill anyone or shoot anyone,” said Fernando yesterday. Following the incident, Brig. Premaratne announced that Gen. Silva has requested IGP Wickramaratne to conduct an investigation into the conduct of the said policemen, claiming that it was “unsuitable”. The statement further said that Defence Secretary Gen. (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne had informed Public Security Ministry Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Jagath Alwis about the incident. Thereafter, the Police Media Unit said that IGP Wickramaratne had ordered an independent investigation into the incident and noted that reports show that the incident seemed to be a “difference of opinion” between the Army and the police officials. Speaking to The Morning, Police Media Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Attorney Nihal Thalduwa said that IGP Wickramaratne has apologised for the incident. Speaking to The Morning yesterday, Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Alwis said that an independent inquiry is being conducted to see who is at fault. “The procedure is that the Army should always assist the Police to look after public interests. There is some confusion here. I must see why exactly they were taken there. The video footage indicates some kind of an argument and we will see what exactly has gone wrong there.” Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday questioned the identity of the armed and masked individuals who allegedly attempted to disrupt the people’s peaceful protest held near the Parliament roundabout on Tuesday. “On 5 April, near the Parliament, during a peaceful protest, we saw a very dangerous thing. We saw individuals wearing masks and uniforms, travelling on unregistered bikes, carrying weapons, going near the protestors, and arguing with the Police. The Police asked as to who they were and why they came because the Police need to protect law and order. Who came in those motorbikes with no number plates and no faces shown? Is it a separate gang or a secret army?” questioned Premadasa in the Parliament yesterday. The SJB also claimed that “similar bikers killed former editor Lasantha Wickrematunge”. “It was a similar team of people who assaulted those in Mirihana. What if those on the motorbikes shoot a MP or a civilian? How can Gen. Silva instruct the Police to conduct an investigation? There is a Facebook post that was posted yesterday by Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Chagie Gallage, who has stated that the ‘Police will get beaten up by the Army soon’. This is an extremely concerning situation that is unfolding. This can lead to state terrorism and therefore, this must not be swept under the rug. The common man was killed in 1988 and 1989. My father died as well. The Government is responsible to protect democracy. Do not allow unidentified, armed men to wander around.” SJB MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said that he condemns sending weapons into a situation such as the one on Tuesday, noting that something serious could have occurred if those weapons ended up in the wrong hands or if a soldier had suddenly got agitated during a time of confusion. “The Police have the right to stop and question the soldiers. However, I also condemn the police officer assaulting an army official in uniform in front of the public. I will also condemn such if that is the other way round,” said Field Marshal Fonseka.


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