Police not the answer to people's protests: JO

21 April 2017 11:38 pm - 32 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Police force is not an answer to the protests being held against the dumping of garbage in the suburbs of Colombo, the joint opposition said today while referring to the gazette notice issued by President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday.

The gazette notice made garbage disposal by local government (LG) authorities an essential service, warning that anyone found to be involved in disruptive activities related to garbage disposal, transport and segregation could be arrested even without an arrest warrant.

JO leader and MP Dinesh Gunawardena said it was incorrect to suppress people’s resistance to garbage disposal in their areas in the aftermath of the Meethotamulla disaster.

“People’s fear and resistance is reasonable, given the seriousness of the tragedy that struck Meethotamulla, in which many died. The authorities should realize its sensitive nature and work closely with the people's representatives in this situation. Deploying police is not what they should do,” he said.

The MP said garbage disposal had become an issue as the government keeps delaying LG elections. “There are no people's representatives at LG bodies to tackle this menace. Officers alone can’t solve this crisis,” he said.

When asked about politically motivated protests, the MP said there could be a few such incidents which cannot be generalized. “Fears of the people are genuine and cannot be ignored,” he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

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Comments - 32

One Shot Ranjan Saturday, 22 April 2017 09:16 AM

Nonsense

One Shot Ranjan Saturday, 22 April 2017 08:58 PM

Weerawansa are you so scared? Don't worry life time you will be in Jail for robbing the public property of SriLankans.

B Perera Saturday, 22 April 2017 03:11 PM

Agree with DG. Answer is "Sudu Van"

Selvyn Saturday, 22 April 2017 02:38 PM

Dinesh dont you realise with your boss you have made a huge contribution to this pathetic disaster via DM Android App

ceylon Saturday, 22 April 2017 01:45 PM

people are protesting due to people like you are in politics. via DM Android App

johan Saturday, 22 April 2017 01:41 PM

The previous government and politicians incuding DG while staying in power for one decade could not solve this problem.Now he is shedding crocodile tears

Ram Saturday, 22 April 2017 12:32 PM

As it happened in the MR regime Army is the solution and not Police

TANTRI Saturday, 22 April 2017 12:31 PM

MR. DINESH, DO YOU THINK THUGS, WHITE VANS AND BRUTAL FORCE IS THE ANSWER AS PRACTICED BY GOTA AND HIS BROTHER M.R. IN THE NOT TOO DISTAN PAST ?

Gamini Saturday, 22 April 2017 11:57 AM

If Police is not the answer, is it the Army which is the Answer- as used by your government in Ratupawela??

kanthi Saturday, 22 April 2017 11:52 AM

I suggest the government should immediately launch a massive propaganda campaign through media to educate the people of this country living here and abroad the manner this Joint Opposition Clan behaves in such a national crisis.If their motive is to serve the people and the country they would not make use of this crisis in to their advantage to set public against Govt. to gain votes. What have these opportunists done to help these grieving citizens so far? Mr.Media Minister open your eyes and publish facts as a counter attack on this mud slinging and selling the corps for their benefit.

KOLA KOTIYA Saturday, 22 April 2017 11:50 AM

RATHUPASWALA WHAT HAPPEND ? WHO ATTACK THE CIVILIONS

ganesh Saturday, 22 April 2017 10:39 AM

why did you not take a similar stand when your former boss with the help of Mervyn and Duminda sent thugs to disrupt each and every protest ?

Target Saturday, 22 April 2017 09:57 AM

Oh! You mean send the army with live ammo. That was what you handler did. The behaviour of the protestors in resent demonstration have been very bad. It was so in the Sri Lanka parliament and some have to be thrown out. Please do not disgrace you parents.

Lord Wolfstein Saturday, 22 April 2017 09:53 AM

The problem of the "JO" is, if beside the garbage dumping also the health service will be declared to be an essential service, then they have to find other subjects to demonstrate and to strike. The "JO" will loose power and the government will become stronger.

Moda Weerawansa Saturday, 22 April 2017 09:19 AM

Foolish Dinesh, he does not know Police Department also comes under Emergency Service.

Honda Hitha Ranil Saturday, 22 April 2017 09:17 AM

Hay you guys are bluffers and trouble-makers, but remember neither our President or the Govt. will never bend down for you garbage lot.

ed Saturday, 22 April 2017 02:37 AM

JO is the main issue without collaborating with the current government to solve the DISASTER which they have created and we salute this government for accepting their responsibility on this issue and SOLVING the issue with international collaboration. Thanks to YAHAPALANAYA government who has made their BEST in getting support from the foreign governments. JUST IMAGINE IF THE RAJAPAKSHA REGIME HAD TO FACE THIS PROBLEM THEN THE WHOLE MEETHOTAMULLA POPULATION WOULD HAVE BEEN WIPED OFF WITH ANURA SENANAYAKA as IGP.

Kiris Baba Amaray Saturday, 22 April 2017 09:14 AM

Dinesh who cares for you, get lost man. We will only listen to our Hon. President

Aku Saturday, 22 April 2017 09:07 AM

Seems like Dinesh and his group have been hit with amnesia... Or maybe he means, don't sent the Police, but send the Army with live bullets like they did to Citizens who asked for clean water...

Nalin Saturday, 22 April 2017 08:24 AM

Where were you when last government shot people when ask for water via DM Android App

Justica USA ... Saturday, 22 April 2017 08:12 AM

OI Dinesh were u sleeping when ratpusella saga unfolded. your a spent force looking for cheap publicity EVERYDAY...you have no morals n ethics...all u know is to kiss Asses. via DM Android App

Sri Lankan Saturday, 22 April 2017 07:39 AM

Is that so!!!!?

Bala Saturday, 22 April 2017 07:32 AM

Absolute hypocrisy. When you were a Minister your govt suppressed Meetotamulla protests in 2011 by using Anura Senananayake your Police stooge to attack them.

Kadiya Saturday, 22 April 2017 07:09 AM

Amply demonstrated to the contrary during their time, even murder they got away with as they were the lords. And now they talk as innocent babes-frauds!!!

C.K.Lankaputhra. Saturday, 22 April 2017 07:04 AM

Good only during the dirty era? What type of people are these.

ranjith Saturday, 22 April 2017 06:27 AM

Where were you about two years ago?Anyway what you said was right.

Sarah Saturday, 22 April 2017 06:11 AM

You have governed the country for 20 years. What have you done to solve the garbage problem ???Please keep away from politics, Better for the JO and the country.

Premalal Saturday, 22 April 2017 05:58 AM

The White Vans worked so much better.

YOU ARE CORRECT , dinesh. ! Saturday, 22 April 2017 05:56 AM

"Police force is not an answer to the protests" - Dinesh , for once you are correct . Maha Raja's (MR) white vans is the correct answer, which you tactically supported.

Tissa Saturday, 22 April 2017 05:51 AM

for the last 18 years who are. the president of this countrywho are the district minister s who used the forces against the protesters Where were you remove your clothes and see via DM Android App

Manel Saturday, 22 April 2017 04:05 AM

Of course police is not the answer. Use WHITE VANS and military tactics like some fellows did in the past.

Mahila Saturday, 22 April 2017 03:46 AM

The Cat is out of the Bag. Garbage dumping in Meethotamulla was going on, 20 years since 1997, and people were protesting. You did not solve this issue, as Leader of the House – 3rd in line hierarchy of government till 2015. 10 years without a murmur. None. As I understand your viewpoint now, protestors if any, should be shot and killed like Rathupuswela, as did happen then, instead of declaring essential services and arrest to enable a legal process - Rule of Law instead of killing and maiming with HR violation.

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Police not the answer to people's protests: JO

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