By Buddhika Samaraweera Noting that it is essential for the Government to reach a consensus with other political and civil society groups to overcome the prevailing crisis in the country, the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) stated that the Government’s attempts to suppress the political and social groups that have different views will close the doors for such a consensus. Speaking to The Morning, NMSJ Chairman Karu Jayasuriya said that the NMSJ considers the Police attack on the peaceful protest march organised by the Inter-University Student Federation (IUSF) on 18 August, as an attack on the fundamental rights of the people as guaranteed by the Constitution. “Especially considering the enormous economic and political crisis that the country is facing, it is very essential that all the parties in the country deal with it with understanding. As a country, we must overcome that challenge by collectively uniting and establishing a deep consensus. For that, the first and primary responsibility is assigned to the Government.” he said. Towards the reaching of such a consensus, Jayasuriya, who is also a former Speaker of Parliament, said that the NMSJ considers the Government’s primary duty and responsibility is to engage in a dialogue with other political and social strata. However, by attempting to suppress the political and social groups with different views, he said that the doors that should be kept open for them for a consensus will be closed. “We strongly condemn this kind of attack on the people's right of speech, freedom of peaceful assembly, and protest. At the same time, in the name of the people and the future generation, we request all political forces to correctly identify the huge crisis that the country is facing and to work responsibly in order to provide a collective and effective solution for that.” he added. The IUSF had organised a massive protest in Colombo on 18 August against President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Government, during which the Police fired tear gas and water cannons at the protestors. A total of 16 university students who were arrested during the protest were released on bail after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate's Court on 19 August, while IUSF Convener Wasantha Mudalige and two other activists are being interrogated on detention orders.