JVP denounces BBS

10 April 2014 09:03 am

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today denounced the actions of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) which stormed into a news conference conducted by an organisation called the Jathika Bala Sena (JBS) yesterday.

In a media statement, the JVP said BBS representatives had accused the organisers and Buddhist monks of the JBS and forced them to apologise before police officers.

“This incident will damage the national harmony of the country. It is also making a negative effect on democracy.  We strongly believe that there should be freedom of speech and anyone should have the right to express their opinions and ideas. If someone possesses a different opinion on an issue they can also make public their views without being violent,” the statement said adding that the BBS had set a bad precedent.

The JVP said if each and every organisation begun to act in an aggressive manner, especially in a post-war situation, the future of the country would not be pleasant.

It also charged that this kind of behaviour was backed by the government, as there were police officers standing around idly.  

“We urge the government to take action against this kind of violent behaviour,” the statement said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)