HRC responds to minister’s allegations, agrees to meet him

May 09 arson attacks:

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga has secured an appointment from Rohini Marasinghe, Chairperson, Human Rights Commission to discuss the progress in the ongoing investigation into the destruction of his residence and other properties in Gampaha in the wake of May 09, 2022 violence.

An aide to Urban Development and Housing Minister Ranatunga told The Island that the meeting would take place on April 24.

Asked to explain the delay in arranging a meeting in spite of Minister Ranatunga writing to Justice Marasinghe on March 16, the official said that the Gampaha District SLPP leader was overseas.

“The HRC offered to arrange a meeting on March 27, 28 or April 03 but the Minister couldn’t change previously made arrangements,” the aide said.

Justice Marasinghe on behalf of the HRC responded to Minister Ranatunga after the latter questioned what he called the lethargic attitude of the independent commission to his complaint and that of other members of parliament.

Lawmaker Ranatunga slammed the HRC for not giving him an opportunity to take up the issues at hand regardless of his repeated requests.

In a letter dated March 22, Justice Marasinghe while declaring her readiness to update him on the inquiry, has informed the minister of the status of the overall investigations into the destruction of properties of government politicians during May 9 and 10 violence. Justice Marasinghe has attributed the slow progress of investigations to 70 complaints received in this regard.

The police have been summoned by the HRC last week whereas the armed forces were scheduled to appear on April 06.

Political sources said that the government should explain the status of the overall investigations into the incidents. Asked to explain, sources said that law enforcement authorities owed an explanation regarding the incidents at Pangiriwatte, Mirihana on the night of March 31, 2022, where protesters set ablaze several police vehicles.

Then there were SLPP goon attacks on protesters outside Temple Trees and at Galle Face on the evening of May 09 last year followed by well-organised countrywide attacks against SLPP MPs soon after, sources said.

SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, MP, said that the perpetrators should be dealt with regardless of their political affiliations. Altogether 76 houses belonging to MPs, including the then Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Kollupitiya residence were destroyed, the MP said.