Navy Commander in alleged fracas with protesters Defence Secretary calls for full report
Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi has called for a full report from the Navy Commander Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, regarding the controversial incident that took place on Saturday (10) at the Hambantota Magampura Harbour.
Hettiarachchi speaking to Ceylon Today noted that the Navy Commander is expected to submit a full report on the Navy’s intervention during the protest carried out by a section of the employees of the Hambantota Harbour.
He also claimed that he was informed of the protest and the Navy’s involvement, including the Navy Commander’s apparent behaviour, only from media reports.
Navy Commander Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne is alleged to have assaulted several individuals, including a journalist, during the protest.
When inquired whether the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has received any complaints regarding the alleged assault Hettiarachchi said that there had been no such complaints as of yet.
Navy Spokesperson Captain Akram Alavi said the Navy Commander was present at the protest while attempts were been made to disperse the demonstrators.
“The Sri Lanka Navy who is the competent authority to carry out the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code had to intervene to disperse the protesters from the two ships and the adjacent facility to make way for normal port operations.
The protesters were holding the ship by force and had disrupted its operation which is a grave violation of International laws and norms which could be treated as an act of piracy,” he noted.
An official inquiry into the alleged Navy assault on the protesters will be initiated only once a complaint to the effect is received, Captain Alavi said.
The protest at the harbour began on Friday (09) demanding the government to refrain from handing over the activities of the harbour to a foreign company. The protestors had disrupted the routine work of the harbour and had obstructed the operations of two merchant ships berthed alongside the jetty.
Media coverage of the protest last Saturday showed the Navy attempting to take control of two vessels that was being held by the protesters. The media grabs also showed Navy officers firing into the air, in a bid to disperse the protestors.
It was reported that several employees as well as journalists who were present at the protest, were injured and hospitalized.
The Navy claimed that due to the damages caused to one of the merchant vessels- the Hyperion Highway- the shipping agent of the vessel had to incur a total demurrage of USD 400,000 for the last 4 days of non-operation.
The other merchant ship named ‘MV Hoyanger’ which is still berthed at the pier is yet to discharge the cargo and cannot proceed to the next port of call unless the cargo is unloaded.
“This may take a few days until the situation returns to normal”, Captain Alavi said.
(Source: Ceylon Today – By Kavindya Chris Thomas)
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What ever the circumstance, Navy Commander’s action is inappropriate and disgraceful. Especially manhandling media and protesters. Is this the disciplined armed forces promised? Is this the media freedom YP advocated?
Amarakoon and Zama,
Now, can you see. The Navy Commander, in a pair of shorts and tee shirt, rough handling innocent workers fighting for their rights and innocent media personnel, with his bare hands, like a barbarian let loose.
It is the undisciplined Sr Lankan armed forces that eliminated 40k civilians under the pretext of routing the Tamil Tigers in Mullivaikkal in 2009 under the command of the Acting Defence Minister, MS.
The Sri Lankan armed forces carried out and are continuing with systematic genocide of minority tamils in the north. They are barbaric in their mission as clearly demonstrated in Hambantota..
Mr. T.Somasundaram, Pl do not draw parallels with the blood thirsty LTTE and the protesters in H’tota. During the LTTE terror fight when there are war crime allegations they being exposed by Darsalam Report, Channel 4 and being investigated. Here the Navy Commander is representing Yhapalanaya Government we all voted.