Weliweriya killinges: Who answers the public through parliament: CPA - Cardinal condemns the killing and attack on the Church

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) notes with the greatest alarm and anxiety the distressing events that transpired at Weliweriya in the Gampaha District of the Western Province last Thursday, 1st August 2013.

It is not the first instance that unarmed protester have been brutally killed during their demonstrations at various places in the country. This has become a normal practice in the post-war Sri Lanka. To name a few are Katunayaka in 2011 and in Chilaw in 2012. The media personnel have always been the victims of such incidents and their equipment confiscated, damaged or destroyed. What are the orders given to the latter in such a situation? Use live ammunition? Shoot and shoot to kill? Indeed, who gives such orders? Who takes responsibility for them? What is the operational chain of command and who answers to Parliament? What are the prospects for an unhindered judicial process?, were the questions put forward by just about everybody in the country. Killing of two young students at Weliweriya clearly show the chaotic situation in the country and hoe law and order has been neglected. An internal inquiry has been ordered by the new Commander of the Army, on whose first day of office, this unexpected event occurred. There is also, apparently, an on-going police investigation. The Human Rights Commission too, has commenced an investigation. A thorough investigation has to be made and the rights of the public must be protected by the way of restoring law and order in the country in a proper order. Democracy is eroding day by day and expedited actions against those who contribute towards this erosion must be immediately punished irrespective of cast, creed, ethnicity, wealth, power etc. Cardinal condemns the killing and attack on the Church The Catholic Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith today condemned the attack carried out by “some elements of the forces” on people who had sought refuge at St. Anthony’s Church in Weliweriya in the clashes between the army and public in the area last week. He said that it was profanity for anyone to enter a church with arms and to behave in a violent manner at a place of worship whatever faith they might follow. “Such actions cannot be accepted anymore by anyone in the country and we have had enough of it. It is always necessary that we preserve places of worship and protect those who enter such premises seeking protection.” he said. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith called on the government to conduct an impartial and just inquiry into the incident. The BAR Association of Sri Lanka confirms and condemns the attak The BASL said that a team of lawyers had visited Weliweriya and recorded statements from people in the area as well as doctors who had treated the injured and found out a priest and a nun were assaulted by troops during the violence in Weliweriya last week as they earlier stated and those who live in the area still live infear and anxiety. The BASL will be recording more statements over the next few days and will then decide on the next course of action. Three people have died so far and many others sustained injuries during the “battle for water” at Weliweriya. The Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission has also launched an investigation into the incident.