Mayantha laments breakdown of law and discipline

SJB MP Mayantha Dissanayake says that there is a breakdown of the country’s rule of law and discipline in recent times and calls for a new anti-corruption law. Addressing a press conference at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo Dissanayake said a series of recent events are evidence of the current state of the country’s law.

“Today corporal punishment on children is not allowed. It is accepted that children cannot be disciplined in this manner and laws have been formulated to prevent it. However, the situation in Sri Lanka now is different. Recently we saw teachers being accused of physically assaulting school students. They are also being accused of getting the Police to assault and harass children. This is the situation in Sri Lanka today,” he said, adding that it is a very dangerous situation.

“This is evidence of what has happened to the law and discipline in the country. Murders and robberies are on the rise. How can we move forward as a country in this manner,” he queried.

Dissanayake said the Police appear to be only deployed to block peaceful protests held by the opposition in line with the country’s democratic framework. “The Police must exist to protect the law and order. But instead, they are threatening and assaulting journalists for things they post on social media,” he said.

He said that there was a need for an anti-corruption law in the country. “Acts such as recently exposed frauds are taking place as there is no proper law in the country. The SJB has continuously highlighted the need for an anti-corruption law. While the government has agreed no draft has been submitted yet. The SJB will introduce an anti-corruption law once it comes into power,” he said.