The Scene of Crime officers of the police are currently engaged in collecting fingerprint samples from the President’s House, Temple Trees, the Presidential Secretariat etc that were vandalised by protesters, Parliamentarian Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara (Rtd) said yesterday.
“These fingerprints will match with their passports and these suspects will never be able to leave the country. The police will file cases against them and in the event, they are convicted, these persons will never be able to obtain a police report. No one with a flawed police report will be able to get government or security forces or police jobs,” he noted.
It is only those engaged in unlawful acts, thugs and terror groups that need to be concerned about the implementation of emergency law. Joining the debate on the passing of emergency law in Parliament yesterday. He warned the youth engaged in protests that those who instigate them won’t be around to save them when they get into trouble. “You will eventually have to pay legal fees by selling your properties and assets.”
He noted that the protesters had vilified the police in the most degrading manner when they went to request the protesters to leave. But he said that the security forces and the acted with utmost patience.
Weerasekara noted that the children of security forces personnel and police personnel were being discriminated by certain tuition masters where they have refused to teach the children of these officers. “In such instances, I suggest that these tuition classes of such masters should be banned.
This is a clear indication as to what an ungrateful country we are. We witnessed the terrorist war for three decades and the security forces scarified so much for this country and if the children of such persons are discriminated there is absolutely no difference between them and beasts.”
He said it is sad that the people of this country have forgotten the sacrifices made by the security forces for this country. The former minister said that the Emergency Law surpasses the general law of the country that is required during an emergency situation. He noted that the struggle started over legitimate reasons such as the fuel crisis and other reasons. “It is reasonable that the people got agitated and frustrated. However, he said that political goons were sent amidst these peaceful protesters and they steered the struggle towards violence and destruction. They tried to topple a legitimately elected government. We can’t condone such action. They can protest peacefully, but they cannot attempt to overthrow a legitimate government or harm a legitimately elected president. Such action can warrant even the death sentence.”
He said that MP Athukorala’s security officer was killed in the most brutal manner and 36 suspects have already been arrested. He noted that the Emergency law is being brought in to prevent such violence.
Weerasekara also blamed the members of the Bar Association for encouraging and safeguarding violent protesters. He said that they had appeared on behalf of such violent protesters and helped them when they were arrested. Referring to the arrest of a protestor who was arrested while trying to leave the island on a flight, he asked if any lawyer appeared for him free of charge.
Therefore, he warned the youth of this country that they have every right to protest peacefully for their rights but urged them not to get misled by unscrupulous political culprits who are trying to gain power by using them as pawns.
courtesy dailynews
