Arrests of former VIPs will be a norm soon - Lal Kantha

By Shane Seneviratne   

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, K. D. Lal Kantha said incidents such as arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will be a norm soon where the Sri Lankan people are concerned.  

The Minister thus indicated that many more will be charged and arrested under the Public Properties Act in the future.   

He told the media during a book launching ceremony at Karaliya reception hall in Kandy that the arrest of the former President was an incident of novel experience with a remarkable influence on the people since the law informant authorities had not been in a position in the past to act independently against individuals in the higher echelons of society called VIPs.   
“The Public Property Act would be strictly enforced in the future. Any individual who violates it would be subject to legal action regardless of his status. It is not the government, but the law enforcement authorities who would deal with it. The law enforcement authorities in the past had been subject to interference and the leading personalities escaped the long hand of law. The law had been strictly enforced only against the ordinary man. However, every individual will be equal before the law in the future,” he said.   

There is much speculation as to what will happen on August 26. It is left to court to take a decision on him. The case will proceed with him on bail or on remand under the Public Property Act. The ongoing strikes and protests is a clear indication that democracy and human rights in the country have been guaranteed by the present government,” he further said.