Lake House Media Forum condemns police assault

The Lake House Media Forum in a press release yesterday condemned the police assault on the demonstrators of the Patriotic National Movement opposite the Fort Railway Station on October 25, states a release issued by the Lake House Media Forum.

The members of the Patriotic National Movement launched this demonstration to protest against UNP Leader and Presidential Candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe's announcement in his election manifesto to say that he will limit the Sri Lankan security forces only to six regiments. The media release pointed out that the Patriotic National Movement is not a terrorist or illegal organisation but a legitimate organisation in which a large number of intellectuals, members of the Buddhist clergy, and academics are members.

As much as any other citizen in this country, they have the right to announce their free opinions. The demonstration of October 25, was a peaceful one.

The police attempted to stop the demonstration by use of batten and tear-gas attacks. This was a violation of the International Human Rights Charter. Workers returning home after duty, school children and ordinary civilians were among the victims of this attack.

The barbaric nature of this course of police action became all the more severe owing to this reason, the media release, denounced.

It urged the Government and all authorities concerned to take preventive steps to avoid such unfortunate events recurring in the future. This will protect the people's right of expression.