Govt. MPs reaped what they had sown, says SF ‘IGP and Army Commander must not be blamed’

By Saman Indrajith

SJB Gampaha District MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka told Parliament, on Tuesday, that government MPs should not shed tears for their losses, using Parliament time, because the violent incidents were of their own making.

Field Marshal Fonseka said that people had taken to the streets against unending corruption and the government’s disregard for the rule of law. “You reap what you sow. People are agitating across the country because of unbearable hardships they have to undergo. The government did not try to find solutions for their problems, or to address the issues. Instead, they declared a state of Emergency as if it would help make fuel, food, medicine and fertilisers available.

“You do not seem to have learnt anything from what happened after the 09 May riots. You still try to blame others. The Galle Face protesters engaged in their agitation very peacefully. Thugs sent from Temple Trees set upon them. The Western Province Senior DIG was seen walking with an MP.

How could one expect police to protect the protesters when the Senior DIG himself was seen with the attackers? I heard someone blame the IGP for not preventing the attack on protesting youth. I do not approve that because what could the IGP do when the Senior DIG, deployed for the task, was working hand in glove with the law breakers? Some blamed the Army Commander. That is also wrong. Those officers know their duty, its limits, its honour and how to do their job. They did nothing wrong nor has there been any dereliction of duty, on their part. When a state of Emergency is declared, the Army is there on standby to provide assistance to the police. The Army is not there to rush whenever there is a clash. If the situation goes beyond the control of the police, then the IGP should call the Army Commander for assistance. The Army has to be called in. Therefore I ask you to refrain from blaming those officers.

“If people rise against their rulers, then let them sort it out between them. The security forces should not be involved in such affairs. Today, some of those who initiated the 09 May violence are now hiding on islets that had been used to detain LTTE terrorists during the times of war. They have to hide because they cheated the people and robbed the nation’s wealth.

“I call on the people to extend their fullest support to the Galle Face protest. Support those youth. They are on the right path. They have commenced the task of changing the political culture. We need that change. We must place our hopes on them and assist them in every possible way to achieve their objective,” Field Marshal Fonseka said, adding that it was the fourth time that he congratulated the youth on the ongoing protest for the achievements that they made during a very short period of time.