(MENAFN- Colombo Gazette)
The Criminal Investigations Department recorded a statement from former Minister Johnston Fernando today over the Galle Face incident.
He was questioned for over 4 hours over the incident were peaceful protesters were attacked at Galle Face and near Temple Trees on the 9th of May.
The attack had taken place following a meeting at Temple Trees attended by Fernando and a number of other Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs.
Former Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana had revealed recently that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was informed that IGP Chandana D. Wickramaratne had given orders on 9th May not to block the mob heading to Galle Face to create chaos.
The MP told Parliament that Senior Police DIG in charge of the Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon had informed the President over the telephone that the IGP instructed him not to block the mob heading to Galle Face.
Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said that he was at a meeting with the President on 9th May when he received a telephone call saying a mob was heading to Galle Face to create chaos.
The MP said that he had then informed the President about the latest developments.
The President had then telephoned Tennakoon and asked why he did not block the mob from heading to Galle Face.
Tennakoon had reportedly told the President that he received orders from the IGP not to block the mob.
Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said that the President had then insisted that action be taken to prevent any chaos from taking place.
The MP said that it was only then that the Police fired tear gas and water cannons on the mob, but the damage had already been done.
The mob attacked peaceful protesters at Galle Face and set fire to tents and other structures. (Colombo Gazette)
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