Public Security Minister rules out extremist involvement

Public Security Minister Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera yesterday (01) described Thursday’s incident as an act of sabotage. In spite of the President’s Media Division (PMD) claim that a group of extremists led the attack, the Public Security Minister said that it was not the case.

“I don’t think they were extremist elements. It was only an act of sabotage. They have come to stage a protest and started damaging the vehicles and public property. That prompted the police to use tear gas” the Minister said.

The Minister said people had to bear the brunt of the pressure to get gas, fuel and suffer due to power cuts. “We as politicians also should bear the responsibility. We are finding solutions to these issues now. People have a right to protest. But, they cannot resort to acts of sabotage” the Minister said.