Chandrika desperate to stay in power, says Ranil Wickremesinghe

By Nirupama Subramanian

COLOMBO, JULY 19. Two persons died when police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at several places in and around Colombo today to disperse protesters defying a ban and marching towards the city centre for a joint Opposition rally against the prorogation of Parliament by the President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga.

More than 60 were hurt and some of them had to hospitalised, the United National Party leader, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, said. Mr. Wickremesinghe was present when police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at Nugegoda, a suburb of the city, to disperse a large group of processionists.

Mr. Wickremesinghe told The Hindu that he was bundled into his vehicle by his security officers and escaped unhurt. ``Everything they did to stop us was illegal. But the people have successfully resisted the Government,'' the Opposition leader said.

The police said on Wednesday that permission for the rally could not be granted as it was disallowed under the Referendum Act.

Ms. Kumaratunga announced a referendum on August 21 on the need for a new Constitution simultaneously with the suspension of Parliament last week. The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, the State-run radio, said the UNP had to take responsibility for the loss of lives as they had been told in advance that permission could not be granted for the protest.

People from various areas were to converge in the Capital at Maradana this afternoon for a mammoth rally to protest Ms. Kumaratunga's action, which seemed primarily aimed at skirting an Opposition no-confidence motion against the People's Alliance Government.

Mr. Wickremesinghe said the Government's decision to ban the protest rally was its ``biggest mistake''. ``This is her (Ms. Kumaratunga's) last desperate struggle to remain in power,'' he said.

All entry points to the city had been barricaded. Police fired tear gas in at least 10 places and used rubber bullets to disperse protesters who attempted to break through the barricades.

The highway to the airport was the worst-hit, and was closed for several hours as police and protesters battled it out at Peliyagoda. There was fighting on the streets in several other spots, including some parts of the Capital. One of those who died today was identified as a UNP supporter, Mr. Wickremesinghe said. Later in the day, the Opposition leaders who managed to enter the city along with their supporters held a smaller meeting than planned, close to the original venue. Among the speakers were the UNP leader, the leader of the Democratic Left Front, Mr. Vasudeva Nanyakkara, and the TULF vice-president, Mr. V. Anandasangaree. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna did not participate in the protest but the UNP spokesman, Mr. Karunasena Kodittuwakku said the joint Opposition would still appeal to the party to join in.

``This is just the beginning. We will continue with our agitation until this Government goes, or the President revokes the prorogation of Parliament,'' Mr. Kodittuwakku said.

The party leaders of the Opposition combine are scheduled to meet tomorrow to chalk out what to do next, and the UNP is hopeful that the JVP will send its representative to this strategy powwow.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Front Page
Previous : Insat launch delay likely
Next     : Jeffrey Archer gets 4-year jail sentence