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JVP/NPP calls on public to fight to oust Govt. via polls

01 Sep 2022

  • Slams attack on IUSF protest, urges end to suppression Warns Government it will have to answer to UNHRC
By Safrah Fazal   While condemning the attack on the peaceful protest launched by the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF), the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) of the Parliamentary Opposition demanded that the Government cease suppression and instead respect the freedom of expression, while also calling on the public to rise in the fight to oust the Government. Speaking at a media briefing held yesterday (31), JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva charged that since being elected, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been on a mission to suppress the people’s voices and attack peaceful demonstrators for the sake of the family of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. “It is unfortunate that we have to keep talking about State suppression. We are well aware that ever since Wickremesinghe was elected President, he has been incessantly suppressing the people and attacking the protests for the Rajapaksas. We have spoken about this on numerous occasions,” he said. “Previously too, they attacked an IUSF protest and detained its Convenor and a few others through the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act as amended (PTA). On Tuesday (30) too, they attacked the IUSF and civil activists, who protested against State suppression and the use of the PTA on three activists. We ask the authorities as to what legal framework exists preventing people from engaging in protests?” Speaking further, he said: “Tuesday’s protest was peaceful. But they used a large contingent of Policemen and fired water cannons and tear gas at them, and also attacked them using batons. As of now, they have arrested 28 people. The Constitution has guaranteed the right for peaceful protests and the freedom of expression.  “The Police can only intervene if anything unlawful takes place, not otherwise. But what are they doing? They are attacking protests just as the protest begins. What is the authority of the Government to stop the protest? This is something they will have to answer to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).” He also charged that such suppression of the people is out of fear that an uprising similar to the one that ousted the former President Rajapaksa and his Government would emerge once again, and that it was therefore an act of cowardly behaviour. “With the interim Budget, the Value-Added Tax has also increased which will cause the increase in the prices of goods. There are shortages in essential items. So the Government is aware that there will be a people’s uprising once again. They are afraid that what happened to the Rajapaksas will happen to the incumbent President Wickremesinghe as well.  “The Government has no answers to the peoples’ economic and social issues. Their only answer is to use the weapon of suppression. Using the weapon of suppression is not an indication of strength, but a show of the Government’s weakness. These are cowardly acts. A strong Government would not be afraid of protests.” Silva also called on the public to come forward to oust the Government and elect a new Government that would secure the people’s rights. “If the Government refuses to heed the voice of the people, and are suppressing the people and protests, hunting down ‘aragalaya’ (struggle) protestors, and using the PTA on the protestors, then those who can put a stop to it are the public. We ask the public to therefore come forward to oust this Government. The only way to do this is through an election. This Government knows that they will lose the election”.  


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