Pro-Fonseka demo in Hulftsdorp:

Opposition violated sanctity of Court

*Arrest of Fonseka not political

*Protecting democracy a joint exercise

Lakshmi DE SILVA

Some of the main Opposition party leaders were seen holding slogans and staging a public protest within the premises of Courts in an attempt to violate the sanctity of the Courts on Tuesday.

While it is common knowledge that no one could disturb Courts, even talking in raised voices, the two main Opposition political parties attempted to storm the Court premises probably adopting a short cut to come to power, Cabinet media spokesman Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said yesterday.

“The President won the Presidential election with a majority of 1.8 million votes.

Since these votes were polled lawfully and strict measures to prevent impersonation such as the insistence on producing a valid National Identity Card for voters during the poll were in place we regret to note the position taken by the leaders of these political parties,“ Yapa said addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing. He said it is not only the Government but also the Opposition that has the responsibility of protecting democracy in a country and to make protests in the premises of the Courts was not a step taken in that direction.

Former Army Commander and Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka was arrested by the Military Police in connection with offences he had committed while he held the position of Chief of Defence Staff like asking for instructions from a certain political party. Steps were not taken to arrest him during the Presidential election campaign as that would have been construed as an attempt to prevent him contesting the election. Since the election was over and there was evidence regarding the acts of his misconduct the authorities had acted within the law to arrest him. Arresting him was not a political act but a military one and he will have to face the Military Court procedure that was a step taken to protect democracy, law and peace in the country, he noted.

Meanwhile, Minister Yapa addressing the Cabinet press briefing yesterday said the Media and Information Ministry has been listed under President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his (Minister’s) request as he had started the election campaign in a large district he represents.

Yapa thanked the media persons for their cooperation during the last four years.