SLPP urged to sack Lohan

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The March 12 Movement yesterday criticised the Police for not having taken any action against State Minister, Lohan Ratwatte for entering Welikada Prison on September 06, and Anuradhapura Prisons on 12 September and threatening prisoners.

Speaking to the media, Convener of the March 12 Movement, Rohana Hettiarachchi demanded that the government conduct an impartial investigation into the two incidents. He added that while Ratwatte had resigned as the State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation, it did not reduce the gravity of his actions.

“The government must immediately take steps to impartially investigate the allegations against Ratwatte as soon as possible. No one can enter a prison according to his or her whims and fancies. This is a violation of law. Both the Commissioner General of Prisons and Media Spokesman for the Department pretended that they had no idea what had happened. This showed that they had no desire to act independently,” Hettiarachchi said.

“The best course of action Ratwatte can take is to resign from his post”, Hettiarachchi added. A number of trade unions, other organisations and individuals have demanded an investigation into the incident and the media has revealed a lot of information about what transpired.

“Given that, we are surprised that the Police have done nothing. They are pretending that nothing has happened. We also urge the SLPP to suspend Ratwatte’s membership and conduct a disciplinary inquiry.”