The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) objected to the suppression of protests that have been taking place islandwide. Speaking on behalf of the JVP was National Organiser Bimal Rathnayake, who stated that when "unfairness" and "irregularities" are happening in the country, the people are left with no choice but to take to the streets in protest. These remarks were made during a media brief held today (07). "Teachers are protesting asking for their salary anomalies to be fixed. Port employees are protesting against the handover of a strategic plot of land to a Chinese company. Protests are being staged against the handing over of the Kerawalapitiya power plant to the Americans. Employees of the Ports Authority and Petroleum Trade Union are protesting against the handing over of the West Container Terminal. Are you asking for these protesters to be shot and silenced?” remarked Rathnayake. He further went on to say that despite popular belief that the Police and Army are present to protect national assets, this is not the case, once again questioning where the Ministers who were appointed to "protect'' national assets are. "The Indian Foreign Secretary came to Sri Lanka and posed for pictures in front of the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm as if he was posing in his own backyard. This is not like a picture you take opposite a flower garden,” Rathnayake said, implying that the Indian Foreign Secretary looked as if he "owned" the Trinco Oil Tank Farm. In conclusion, Rathnayake stated that the Government is attempting to label protesters as "Terrorists, traitors, extremists , international conspirators and betrayers of the nation," Earlier this week, Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekara stated that the Sri Lankan Government’s stance on protests was “too soft”, and "tough measures" should be taken against protesters.