Sajith denied access to harbour police to see arrested teachers

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa was denied entry to the Harbour Police yesterday (05) morning when he arrived there to visit detained teachers and principals.

Premadasa was accompanied by a group of MPs and lawyers. There was a heated exchange as the police prevented them from entering the station.

On Wednesday police arrested 44 principals, teachers and some of their supporters following a protest opposite the Presidential Secretariat.

Premadasa told the media that the principals and teachers had a right to receive visitors and that concerned parties had a right to meet them as well.

He added that as an MP he had a right to inquire about the wellbeing of those arrested and that right had been denied.

‘Police told me that they needed the permission from the Ports Authority to allow me to enter the premises. When I asked the Ports Authority Officers, they said I needed permission from the Police,’ Premadasa said.

The Opposition Leader said that a people’s representative being denied the opportunity to visit those arrested unjustly, not only showed the deterioration of democracy but also the insecurity of the government.

‘I will raise this issue in parliament,’ Premadasa said.

The Opposition Leader said lawyers appearing for the teachers and principals too were denied entry to the police station. “This is a serious assault on law and order”, he said. (RK)