Attack on Maharajah:

No Government involvement

Sandasen MARASINGHE

There was no Government involvement in the attack on the Maharajah Organization on March 22, said Media Centre For National Security Director General Lakshman Hulugalle yesterday.

The Director General made this observation at a press conference held at the Media Centre for National Security.

He said no evidence had transpired in the investigations to the effect that there was Government involvement in the attack.

He also said that according to the statements made to the Police the attack erupted when a group of people went in front of the Maharajah Organization head office at Braybrook Place in Colombo to protest against the popular Western singer Akon's proposed tour of Sri Lanka.

Refuting allegations against the Government Hulugalle stated that the Government which has a clear majority and mandate of the people need no involvement in incidents that would defame it.

Police spokesman SP Prishantha Jayakody told the media that the Police have arrested 16 persons in this connection but there was no single Buddhist monk among them.

According to the statements both parties - protesters and the Maharajah Organization employees were responsible for the conflict and had hurled stones at each other. He also said damages were caused to the Maharajah Organization building while four employees suffered minor injuries during the conflict.