By Shamindra Ferdinando
Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga has accused the Human Rights Commission (HRC) of delaying investigation into attacks on his residence at Udugampola, Gampaha, on 09 May.
The Urban Development and Housing Ministry yesterday (20) quoted Gampaha District MP Ranatunga as having alleged that despite repeated requests, he had not been able to obtain an appointment with the HRCSL.
The SLPP Gampaha District heavyweight’s house was among 74 lawmakers’ residences attacked countrywide following attacks on ‘Aragalaya’ activists at Temple Trees and Galle Face.
Minister Ranatunga said that he couldn’t appear before the HRC on August 29, last year, as the Parliament met on that day. The Minister said that subsequently a fresh date was sought on four different occasions but he didn’t receive anticipated response from the HRC.
Responding to The Island queries, an aide to Minister Ranatunga said that in addition to investigations undertaken by police, the lawmaker felt the need to seek the HRC’s intervention.
“In the wake of an attack on a house, situated at No 180/A, Minuwangoda Road, Gampaha, we lodged a complaint (HRC/1919/22). The Minister wrote to HRC again, on 16 March, and decided to discuss the issue publicly as the HRC continued to evade the issue at hand,” the aide said.
The official said that the HRC, as well as law enforcement authorities, owed an explanation regarding the status of ongoing investigations into violence directed at lawmakers’ homes and other properties. In addition, law enforcement authorities, and the military top brass, should explain the overall failure of the security apparatus to thwart organized attacks, he said.
A senior spokesperson for the HRC said that they would respond to the Minister’s statement.