Finance
In the midst of international condemnation for violent attacks on anti-government protesters, newly-elected Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe said he reaffirms the country’s commitment to upholding the right to peaceful, non-violent assembly, adding that public protests can be held in designated areas around Colombo.
He gave the assurance to diplomats in Colombo while detailing the removal of protesters who had illegally occupied the Presidential Secretariat.
He stated that the government would uphold both Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 14 (1) (b) of the Sri Lankan Constitution, which governs the right to peaceful assembly.
Wickremesinghe, who was elected President with the support of the former Rajapaksa party, stated that the American Civil Liberties Union instructed protesters not to block government buildings or interfere with other uses for which the property was intended.
Soon after the Sri Lankan military and police carried out violent attacks on protesters, lawyers, and journalists, injuring nearly 50 people, US Ambassador to Colombo Julie Chung strongly condemned the state-sponsored attack.
“This is not the time to crack down on citizens, but instead to look ahead at the immediate and tangible steps the government can take to regain the trust of the people, restore stability and rebuild the economy,” she tweeted.
On Friday, she met Wickremesinghe and referred to the brutal attacks as “unnecessary and deeply troubling escalation of violence against protesters”.
Wickremesinghe has told diplomats that nonviolent protests are permitted within the city without endangering property or lives, and that four venues, including an open-air theatre in a public area, two playgrounds, and a public building, have been designated for nonviolent protests.
Several foreign countries, including the United Nations, the European Union, and Amnesty International, condemned the attack, which occurred less than 24 hours after Wickremesinghe was sworn in as President.
People launched massive anti-government protests against the Rajapaksa regime during the unprecedented economic crisis, forcing PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and his cabinet, as well as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, to resign.
The UN Human Rights Office condemned the attack, stating: “We have concerns that the raid on the camp sends a chilling message to peaceful protesters, including elsewhere in the country.” It stated that it was alarmed by the unnecessary use of force allegedly exerted by Sri Lanka military attacking the protesters with clubs, and wires despite the fact that they had planned to hand over the area to the security on Friday afternoon.
“But we were at a position where we couldn’t trust them anymore. That is why the forces and the STF removed these members of an illegal gathering from the place,” police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa told media.
The country’s main opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya, led by Sajith Premadasa, whose candidate was defeated in Thursday’s election by Wickremesinghe, urged the government to convene Parliament on Monday to discuss the brutal attacks, which the opposition described as a blow to democracy.
People have condemned Wickremesinghe’s allegiance to the former regime, and protests have already begun by Sri Lankan communities in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. Wickremesinghe has appointed pro-Rajapaksa strongman, Dinesh Gunawardena as new PM, and an 18-member cabinet, most of whom were loyal to Rajapaksas.
Source:OCN
