A psyop to intimidate people – Duminda

Police search FSP office

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The government was carrying out a psychological operation to prevent the people from taking to the streets as the economic crisis deepens, Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Propaganda Secretary, Duminda Nawagamuwa said yesterday, following a police raid of their Colombo office.

Nawagamuwa said that a policeman, and 10 men in civvies, had arrived at the FSP party office and searched the premises, without a search warrant, or giving reasons.

“After they left, about 30 policemen came and also started searching the office. They showed us a search warrant for Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) Convenor, Wasantha Mudalige. We told him why are you looking for him here. They searched the office and videoed the surroundings, took the names of everyone there and left,” he said.

Nawagamuwa said the government had been using security forces to intimidate those who have opposed the government.

“They go and arrest and abduct people. Then they give massive publicity. This is done to intimidate people and to boost the morale of SLPP supporters. The country will run out of fuel again by 15 August. The government has no plans to salvage the economy. They know people will come to the road and they are trying to scare them,” he said.

The FSP Propaganda Secretary said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had given the impression that he is well connected to international donor networks and the international community will come to the aid of Sri Lanka.

“So far no one has helped. It is obvious that no one would want to assist a state that doesn’t have a legitimate government. Rajapaksas thought China would bail them out and Ranil though Japan and US will bail him out. But the truth is no country is willing to pour money into unstable countries. Ranil has no plan. He knows this and is trying to use military power to stay in,” he said.