Police say that three lines of investigation have been undertaken into the attack on a group of UNP Parliamentarians who visited the Mattala Airport and Hambantota Port on Thursday.

Police Media Spokesperson SSP Ajith Rohana added that in the event it is proven that police officers at the scene had foregone their duties, the law will be enforced against them.

The protest broke out when UNP MPs Ajith P. Perera, Ajith Mannapperuma, Eran Wickramaratne. R. Yogarajan and Nalin Bandara Jayamaha engaged in an inspection tour of the Mattala Airport and the Hambantota Port on Thursday.

The MPs were also confronted with a protest when they visited the Hambantota Port. The Mayor of Hambantota had arrived at the scene and took steps to remove the MPs from the premises.

The MPs were obstructed once again at the entrance to the port. The MPs left the Hambantota area, noting that they would lodge a complaint with the Police Headquarters.

Travelling in the same bus that was attacked, the group of MPs arrived at the Police Headquarters in Colombo on Thursday night, where they lodged a complaint.

Meanwhile, MP Sajith Premadasa has condemned the attack on the group of UNP Parliamentarians.

Issuing a media release, the MP pointed out that the events that transpired on Thursday, had violated the right of public representatives and citizens of this country, to inquire into the operations of public property.

The statement reads further, that space cannot be allowed for the suppression of this sovereign citizens’ right through cruelty and malice, adding that the situation is much graver, given that such events transpired at a time when unfortunate opinions are arising against Sri Lanka, internationally.

He also notes that the photographs of persons who were involved in the harassment and of local politico brandishing a firearm have already been released to the world.

MP Premadasa concludes that the responsibility of a truly patriotic administration is to conduct a transparent investigation into this incident which has placed a black mark on the country, and to expeditiously enforce the law against those responsible.

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