• Gen. Secy says will not request probe citing ‘embarrassment’ to certain persons

Although it is problematic as to how the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) led National People's Power (NPP) was permitted to hold its May Day rally blocking a main road, ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary, Parliamentarian and Attorney Sagara Kariyawasam said that they would however not seek an investigation into the matter, as the initiation of such may 'embarrass' certain individuals.

The JVP led NPP held its May Day rally near the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo on Monday (1).

Speaking at a media briefing at the SLPP Headquarters in Colombo yesterday (4), Kariyawasam commented on the NPP's rally: "During discussions that were held at the Police Headquarters prior to the May Day, they (Police) informed that no permission would be granted to hold a May Day rally blocking a main road. However, we have a problem as to how certain political parties were granted special privileges. We also doubt if there is a connection between the granting of permission to hold a May Day rally blocking a road, and the Police not recording a statement from an individual who said that the Parliament should be attacked."

Accordingly, The Daily Morning contacted Kariyawasam and queried from him as to whether the SLPP would seek an investigation into the matter, to which he said: "It is something that is wrong, but, we do not hope to ask for an investigation, because ‘some people’ will get embarrassed if an investigation is carried out. As a political Party, we do not want to do it." When queried as to whether those he refers to as 'some people' represent the Government, he said: "I do not know. You are a journalist, so you will understand it better than I do. Why should I tell?" Speaking further, he said: "Renuka Perera of the SLPP participated in the relevant meetings with the Police. During the meetings, the NPP had requested permission to hold the May Day rally blocking the road. Perera had said that if the NPP was to be permitted to do so, let us (SLPP) have it at the Independence Square in Colombo 7. The Police had said that it was illegal for a road to be blocked, and that therefore, they would not allow anyone to block the road and have any rallies. The NPP had repeatedly requested it, and the Police had refused it. Then, the NPP representatives had said that they would somehow do it and had left. Finally, they had got approval, which is problematic."

Several political parties and trade unions marked the International Workers’ Day, with various events including rallies and processions that had been organised in Colombo and other parts of the country on Monday (1). Among them were the United National Party at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo, the SLPP at the Campbell Park in Borella, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya at the A.E. Gunasinghe Grounds in Borella, and the NPP in front of the Viharamahadevi Park. A stage had been constructed for the NPP's rally, blocking a road nearby the Park.