Janodaya Urges Mannar People to Support Government’s Consensus Effort, Condemns Police Attack on Protesters.
Janodaya has strongly condemned what it describes as a "cruel, barbaric, and inhumane" police attack on unarmed protesters in Mannar who were demonstrating against a proposed wind power project in the region. In a media statement issued this week, Janodaya called for accountability from the police and urged the people of Mannar to remain vigilant against attempts to sabotage ongoing government efforts to resolve the issue through consensus.
Police Attack on Protesters Draws Outrage: According to Janodaya, the protest in Mannar was held by local residents opposing the government’s large-scale wind power generation project. The protest, described as peaceful, ended in a violent police crackdown.
“It was a very cruel, barbaric, and inhumane assault,” the statement reads. “No law abiding citizen can accept it.”
Janodaya emphasized that Sri Lanka is a democratic country where freedom of expression and peaceful protest are enshrined in the Constitution. The group asserted that the police action was a clear violation of these constitutional rights.
Alleged Sabotage Within Police Ranks? The statement raised concerns over whether the attack was a deliberate attempt by elements within the police force to undermine the newly elected National People's Power (NPP) government.
“It appears the police have not yet realized that the anti people system ended on September 21, 2024,” the statement said. “Are these attacks part of a conspiracy by internal elements to create public disgust toward the new government?”
Janodaya pointed out the historical mistrust between the Mannar community and the security forces, especially during the years of civil conflict. However, the group noted that the people of Mannar voted decisively in 2024 to break from that past and place their trust in the current administration.
Call to IGP: Respect Peaceful Protest: Janodaya called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to issue clear instructions to law enforcement officers on how to handle peaceful demonstrations, especially in sensitive areas like the North.
“The police must be reoriented to respect citizens’ rights to peaceful protest. These attacks jeopardize not only people’s safety but also public trust in state institutions,” the group warned.
Support for Ongoing Government Dialogue: Janodaya acknowledged that President Anura Kumara Disanayaka and the NPP government are currently engaged in discussions with multiple stakeholders , including the Mannar Citizens' Committee and representatives from the Catholic Church to find a mutually acceptable path forward for the wind power project.
“Protests are being held while sincere efforts are underway to reach a consensus,” the statement said. “People must be cautious of self interested forces who aim to derail these efforts for their own political gains.”
Janodaya appealed to the people of Mannar to continue supporting these democratic processes, while also standing firm against any manipulation by disruptive elements.
News Whisperer Condemns "Kithusara" Social Media Post. In a related development, News Whisperer has condemned a social media post by a group identified as Kithusara, which accused the NPP government of initiating a new wave of genocide against Tamil people following the Mannar incident.
“This is a despicable and inflammatory claim,” the editorial team stated. “Labelling the government as racist and oppressive on the basis of one incident is both irresponsible and misleading.”
National Development and Local Sacrifices: News Whisperer also highlighted the broader context of national development, noting that sacrifices are often part of major infrastructure projects.
“During the Mahaweli project, many hill country residents were relocated. If not for those difficult decisions, Sri Lanka would be in a deeper energy crisis today.”
New Whishperer stressed that regional contribution to national development is a civic duty and welcomed the government's proposals to provide compensation and mitigate negative impacts on affected communities.
“Electricity is essential for development. This is not an opportunity Sri Lanka can afford to miss,” the editorial concluded.
News Whisperer - 2025.09.30
Comments
Post a Comment