It reflects the desperation of the govt.

Eran Wickramaratne,

a United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarian was one of the MPs who came under attack in Hambantota last month. Speaking to

Mr. Wickramaratne criticized the government for the cowardly act and said that the Opposition cannot be stopped by such threats and intimidation.

Q: You were a part of the group of UNP MPs who were attacked in Hambantota recently. Could you briefly tell me what exactly happened?

We had decided that we should go on a fact-finding mission of some of the major expenditures that the government is making. Government Ministers have often invited us to come and see these projects ourselves. So on April 17 a group of UNP MPs including myself went to visit two of the largest government investments of the recent times – the Mattala Airport and the Hambatota Port. Apart from looking at the infrastructure we also wanted to talk to the officials and the people in the area. We informed the Minister of Civil Aviation and the Chairman of Ports prior to our visit and got their approval. The officials wereverywelcomingandwehad cordial discussions with them.

However, when we came out of the airport we saw a group of people who were assembled there – they were clearly an organised group and were not from the neighbourhood. They accosted some of the MPs. Somehow we managed to leave the airport and on our way to the port, we informed the Police about the incident and asked for their protection. Once at the port, we saw some Police vehicles and there were also some people gathering around the area. As we came out, three people came up to me and started questioning me and I engaged them thinking we could have a discussion. However, it turned aggressive and a whole crowd of them burst into the building. At this point, the MSD personnel decided this was not a conducive environment. As we were getting into our vehicle, the group of people attacked us. As we were pulling out of the yard, I saw a man running up with a pistol pointed. I informed the driver to get out of there immediately and we all ducked low. Another gang at the entrance attacked the vehicle with stones. Fortunately because of our MSD officers we were able to get out of there without being har med. Subsequently I learnt that the pistol-wielding gangster was the Mayor of Hambantota.

As we were fleeing, t here were some vehicles following us. After sometime, we noticed a police vehicle following us. We halted the bus and I and another MP got off the bus and tried to flag down the police vehicle but it sped off. So we lost complete trust in the police in the South.

When the attack happened there were police officers present but they did nothing. It was pathetic. The police was not able to provide us the security that we needed.

Q: Last Monday(5) it was revealed that four people were arrested in connection to the incident and were later bailed out. Also, the Mayor of Hambantota has not been arrested until now. Considering this, are you satisfied with the way the investigations are proceeding?

No, I am not satisfied at all. First of all, it was not until three weeks later that some action was taken. When such an incident with a criminal intent takes place – someone brandishing a gun in a high-security zone and coming after parliamentarians – an arrest should have been made immediately. When there is a delay, naturally there is a lot of speculation possible; one can tamper with the evidence. So this is totally unsatisfactory.

Then the UNP leadership decided enough is enough and we should all go to Hambantota which we did the previous Saturday(3). We demanded that the police take action and there be an arrest. Up till that point nothing had happened. However, the issue is that even after the four people were arrested subsequently they were released. Shouldn’t there have been an identification parade to identify these suspects? How could these people with criminal charges be released on bail? It looks to me like this was just a reaction to our demand. It is clear that the sprats have been taken in while the big fish have escaped. If the Magistrate was furnished with the proper information and the proper procedure was followed, this would not have happened.