The Women’s Wing of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has condemned the recent incidents of harassment against women by the Sri Lanka Police. Referring to the recent incident where two female activists were blocked from engaging in a protest march on Galle Road, Kaduwela Municipal Councillor from the SLFP, Kumarari Pathirage said the country is now turning into a Police state. “The two women were blocked by a host of Police personnel and attempts were made to arrest them. Then we saw a senior Police officer manhandle two women Police constables,” she noted.

“On what legal basis did the Police attempt to block the protest march and arrest these two women who were calling for the release of Wasantha Mudalige and Siridhamma Thera?” she asked, adding that the treatment of the two female officers was also highly upsetting. She called on the Inspector General of Police C.D Wickramaratne and the Government led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to take necessary action against those involved in the incidents and deliver justice to the female victims.

Pathirage said if the Government fails to take all necessary action the SLFP women’s wing will take the lead to bring out all women in the country onto the streets. “We expected a country safe enough for a woman to walk from Dondara to Point Pedro. But today the situation in the country is such that a woman may not even step out of her own kitchen. If this continues, women will not even have the freedom to express their views and opinions at home. Sri Lanka has become a Police state,” she said.

Pathirage said it is up to the IGP and the President to assure that the rights and freedoms of women in Sri Lanka are protected. “Stop the harassment of women. Solve the problems faced by the country instead of suppressing those with dissenting views,” she said. According to Pathirage, however, the President appears to be keener on oppressing the people, rather than rebuilding the country.