Hambantota: None Free Zone of the Country

On 17th April, 5 UNP MPs had attended a field visit to observe the development of Mattala Rajapakse International air port and Hambantota international harbour. Both are claimed as the major development projects to the country and boasts with high appreciation. However, an organized group seems to lead by Mayor of Hambantota urban council disturbed, harassed and attempted to physically harassed in front of higher police officials within the Air port premises as well as at the harbour.Throwing rotten eggs, tomatoes and many other harrasments were reported in the media disturbing the observatory visit of the opposition MPs. At the same time, Media reported through videos and photographs, that the Hambantota mayor was carrying a pistol in his hand while chasing behind the MPs. In a continuous media campaign organized by state media quoted the mayor saying, "I wanted to save the MPs from the group. I did carry a TOY pistol which was found after searching the hip of some one around me. in fact I am a victim of the good deed I wanted to perform to save the group." We have some questions to raise at this moment: 1. What is the Police did at this type of organized thuggery and gang illegally enter in to Public premises and disturbed the public actions? 2. Why the police did not arrest any of the thugs, including the Mayor who carried a Pistol threatening MPs and others who were attended the visit? 3. The violation of Parliamentary privileges of those MPs is also a concern as the Public representatives they have the right to report to the people about the realities of those so called Mega development projects. 4. What is the responsibility of the judiciary and the followed by legal actions against these type of henious actions of organized thugs. Finally we congratulate the brave UNP MPs who attempted to reveal truth to the public while putting their lives in to danger. These actions of organized thugs again proved "Hambantota as None Free Zone in the Country".