WELIKADA RIOTS & SECURITY FORCES

“Why were security forces deployed for the Prison clash ?"
Member of Parliament Anura Kumara questions

There is no acceptable reason to explain why these deaths occurred in the most unfortunate manner. According to government sources after the weapons stores were broken and the fire arms grabbed. Also it had been made to know that the prisoners had got intoxicated when they had consumed a lot of sedative drugs. The clash had begun after these incidents had taken place.
Under ‘fixed orders” 23/2 Anura Kumara Dissanayake had spoken in this manner:
“  On the 9th within the Welikada prison there was a massive clash between the prisoners and the Police forces and the Special Task Forces personnel. Owing to this unfortunate clash many lives were lost, all victims been prisoners. The number of Police personnel , special task force personnel were 13 and 4 persons respectively..While a Prison official and a civilian were also injured, among them was STF commandant DIG Ranawana.
He emphasised at a place like the prison which has its own civilian security why the services of the Police security and Special Task Force personnel were deployed? In this regard the following questions were posed to the house:
1. Who was responsible for calling the Police and the Special task Police personnel for assistance?
2. What was the necessity to call for them when they had been provided with their own security within the prison premises?
3. At a time when the situation was calm and under control why these outside security called for?
4. How many persons died and how many were injured?
5. For those killed and injured what action the government proposes to do?
6. Who were responsible for obtaining the assistance of the Police Forces and the STF personnel which ultimately resulted in the unfortunate death of a number of prisoners? What action the government proposes to do?