Ministers request new Commission to prevent future “Aragalaya”

May 9, 2023 at 11:16 AM

A request has been made from President Ranil Wickremesinghe for a Presidential Commission with absolute power to prevent future protests similar to the ‘Aragalaya’ peoples’ movement in Sri Lanka.

Cabinet Co-Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena said the request was made by the Cabinet of Ministers during the Cabinet meeting chaired by the President yesterday (08).

Addressing the weekly Cabinet Media briefing today, Minister Gunawardena said the Cabinet of Ministers had made such a request to ensure law and order in the country.

“If the houses of a selected group such as journalists or politicians are attacked, and there are no laws to control the protesters, then the country will end up in a serious situation,” he said.

Minister Bandula Gunawardena said the Presidential Commission is required to prevent such protesters from violating the basic fundamental rights of citizens.  

His remarks come at a time when Sri Lanka marks one year since the countrywide unrest that occurred in Sri Lanka on May 09, 2022. 

The unrest broke out after anti-government protesters were attacked by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) supporters at the Galle Face Green, in Colombo. (NewsWire)