Protest calls for disarming of Pillayan Group

The United National Party and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Mahajana Wing called for an immediate disarming of the Pillayan Group during a joint protest staged in front of the Elections Secretariat in Rajagiriya today (May 06th).

The protestors denounced the Elections Commissioner and the IGP for their failure to disarm the paramilitaries and ensure a free and fair atmosphere for voters at the May 10th polls in the east.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and SLFP (M) leader Mangala Samaraweera led the large number of crowds at the demonstration that began at 2.30 pm.

Speaking to the gathering, Mr. Samaraweera accused President Mahinda Rajapaksa of having 'betrayed the SLFP to Pillayan the terrorist for the petty objective of gaining power.'

This is the first time that the party has allied with an armed group to seek a public mandate, according to Mr. Samaraweera.

He said, "S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike founded the SLFP to establish democracy in the country. Our party has always rejected armed actions and never supported armed groups. It never allied with armed groups to seek votes. Today, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has betrayed our party for power."

Speaking further, Mr. Samaraweera noted, "Today, the eastern provincial council election is taking place in a frightening, terror filled atmosphere. The armed Pillayan Group is preventing the people from using their vote freely. These armed groups are functioning with the President's blessings. Therefore, it is pointless to ask him for a free election. Time has come for all democratic forces to unite and safeguard fast dwindling democratic rights."