Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra has lodged a complaint with the Elections Commission today alleging that the supporters of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa viciously harassed her when she was attempting to reach the Election Secretariat today.
The parliamentarian said she complained to the Election Commissioner’s office this afternoon that members and supporters of the Podujana Peramuna hooted and insulted her. Ms. Premachandra said she would lodge a complaint with the Acting Inspector General of Police as well.
Speaking at a press conference held at the head office of the United National Party (UNP) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa at Vauxhall Street, Colombo today, the parliamentarian said she went to the Election Commission to congratulate the United National Front candidate Sajith Premadasa who handed over the nominations today for the upcoming presidential elections.
However the vehicle was misdirected and headed towards the supporters of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, who did not allow the vehicle to go through making her to alight the vehicle and walk the rest of the way.
The MP said the supporters who surrounded her directed insults and hooted at her. However, she had greeted the crowd and made her way to the office, she said. She said her children were also in the vehicle at the time.
The MP said that she regrets the way Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s supporters treated her as a woman and as a public representative. MP Premachandra said she would also request the IGP to inquire into the police officers who had taken her to the location.
MP Premachandra said the terror has now begun and this is the first step. She questioned the SLPP candidate how he will protect the rights of women with such supporters.
“The terror has now begun. This is the first incident. I would like to tell the public that there will be more in the future. I ask Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa how he will build a disciplined society with such group of supporters. How is he going to protect the women’s rights, women’s security? We need answers,” Hirunika said.
Courtesy: Colombo Page
