SB says will urge President to arrest Rishad

Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

By Sandun A Jayasekera

Former Minister S.B.Dissanayaka continuing his verbal battle with Minister Rishad Bathiudeen yesterday said the government had ample evidence to arrest minister Bathiudeeen and a team of joint opposition members including him would urge President Maithripala Sirisena to direct law enforcement authorities to arrest him immediately.  

“We have information to prove that he has had close contacts with members of the National Thawheed Jamaath (NTJ) and also that he has helped them in their destructive operations. Therefore, we would make a representation to request President Sirisena as the Minister of Defence and Law and Order to take steps to arrest Minister Bathiudeen,” Mr. Dissanayaka said.   Mr. Dissanayaka pointed out that the US conspiracies against Middle Eastern countries like Syria, Iraq and Libya followed with the regime change has inspired the rise of Muslim fundamentalist entities like IS that ultimately resulted in Sri Lanka becoming a target for vengeance.  He added that the ‘Arab Spring’ instigated by the US intelligence services in the Middle Eastern countries had now transformed into a vicious beast that bites each and every one found as soft targets.  

Addressing the media at the Center for Transformation’ in Colombo, Mr. Dissanayaka went on to say that it was sad to witness that the country has not returned to normalcy even after more than two weeks since the Easter Sunday carnage as the government has failed to convince the public that the country is safe and trouble free.  

“The only relief is that the President, religious prelates belonging to all faiths led by Arch Bishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, armed forces, the STF, CID, TID the Police and Civil Defense Department have done their utmost to bring peace to the country,” he said.