Commandos rehearsing for attack: Army assures HRCSL no basis for claim

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) yesterday (17) said it had received an assurance from the Army that it wouldn’t engage in activities contrary to those entrusted in terms of the law.

HRCSL Spokesperson, Nihal Chandrasiri, said so after a delegation of the outfit, on Saturday evening, had visited the Ganemulla Army Commando base following the Frontline Socialist Party’s allegation that the government was planning to deploy the military to suppress the ‘Gota Go Home’ campaign.

FSP’s Duminda Nagamuwa alleged that commandos were rehearsing for an attack on those engaged in the Galle Face protest. Nagamuwa alleged that the government intended to deploy elite troops disguised as protesters.

Chandrasiri, the Acting Director Research and Monitoring, HRCSL said that they had felt the need to act promptly in terms of their mandate and visited the Ganemulla Commando base, where the alleged training was claimed to have taken place.

Responding to The Island queries, Chandrasiri said that he had received a call from the Director, Legal of the Army during their first such visit to a military base. Chandrasiri said that as the HRCSL had the authority to visit any military base in terms of its mandate approval was not sought from Army headquarters before dispatching a team.

Chandrasiri said that the HRCSL had been informed the ongoing training provided to troops at Ganemulla had nothing to do with any move to crush the Galle Face protest.

‘Gota Go Home’ campaign got underway on 09 April after a violent protest outside President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s private residence at Pangiriwatte Road, Mirihana on 31 March.

Chandrasiri said the military or law enforcement authorities couldn’t under any circumstances interfere with the right of the public to engage in peaceful protest.

Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, who is also the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) recently briefed Colombo based diplomatic missions on the Army’s role and that of other services in the wake of organized public protests.

The breakaway JVP faction, FSP is widely believed to be behind the Galle Face protest that has attracted thousands of professionals including professionals. The FSP also launched protests outside Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Wijeyarama residence.

PM Rajapaksa’s Office said that those who had been engaged in the Galle Face protest campaign were yet to respond officially to the PM’s offer to meet them. However, a large banner displayed therein soon after the PM’s statement reiterated the demand for the resignation of both President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Premier Rajapaksa.

The PM’s Office said there was no dispute over the public right to protest though their motives remained questionable.