Sumanthiran accuses police of using excessive force

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M. A. Sumanthiran told Parliament on Wednesday (20) that he had not seen any protesters unleashing violence.

The MP said that it had been only the police who used excessive force which was quite blatant, and that had resulted in the death of one person in Rambukkana.

“I saw a message from the President via twitter, in which he says “I urge all to refrain from violence as they protest”. Now I have not seen any protesters indulging in violence. It has been only the police who have used excessive force which is quite blatant, and that has now resulted in the death of one person. Death of only one person is confirmed. The fate of few others is not known,” he said.

Sumanthiran said that the people were protesting because the government had failed them. The people were asking the President to go home.

“There is a good reason why they are saying that. I also saw a message that says that the discussions with the IMF are at an early stage. The loan programme is at an early stage. And that any deal would require adequate assurances that the country’s debts can be put on a sustainable path. Now, this debt sustainability is a huge issue, because you have not rescheduled the debts,” he said,

For the IMF to assist the country, there should not only be political stability but also debt sustainability, the TNA MP said. Unless those two were achieved there would be no solution to the crisis faced by Sri Lanka, he said.

“People are crying out for relief; people are asking when their suffering will end. It is going to get worse. We know that even with the IMF assistance, it’s going to get worse for a while. But from the way it’s going under this government, there is no assurance that the programme will be successful,” he said.

The TNA MP also made an appeal to the International Monetary Fund. He urged the IMF to ensure that the Rajapaksas did not pocket some money received under a possible Rapid Finance Instrument.

“The rulers who have robbed this country are still in power and are refusing to go. When the IMF considers the Rapid Finance Instrument a very strict condition must be imposed that this money that is given does not go into the Rajapaksa pockets. That it must go directly to the people, directly to the poor, for medicine, for basic food, for poor welfare. Now, welfare programmes are designed to enrich corrupt politicians. That must be avoided. So this specific request to the IMF that when you consider the rapid finance instrument, and we need that, please ensure, please attach it to conditions, that’ll ensure that it’ll go directly to the people,” he said. (SI)