Bandula: ‘Only May Day rallies can be held when an election is declared’

By Rathindra Kuruwita

It was common for protestors to get hurt, Cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardena told reporters on Tuesday (28), commenting on the death of a National People’s Power (NPP) candidate, injured during the anti-government protest on Sunday.

When a journalist asked Gunawardena whether people needed to be ready for serious injuries if they were to protest, the minister said that a large number of the ruling SLPP members, too, had been injured during anti-government protests.

“For example, when we protested against the Hambantota Port agreement with China, a large number of our supporters were injured. A barrier fell on MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena. If it had hit him on a sensitive spot, he would have been injured,” the Minister said. “Only May Day rallies can be held when an election is declared,” he said.