President instructs to ensure safety of Omani investor

• The Omani investor and security officer were physically assaulted on March 30

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed him to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the Omani businessman who was assaulted in Katana recently by a group.  

The Omani investor and security officer were physically assaulted by a group of unidentified individuals on March 30.  

A discussion was held yesterday (09) between Minister Alles and the Omani investor, who is the Managing Director of the apparel factory, at the Ministry of Public Security following the incident.  

During the meeting, Minister Alles promised to ensure the security of the Omani investor.  

Furthermore, he informed the Omani investor that the President’s attention too has been drawn to this incident.  

Following the meeting, the Omani investor emphasized to the minister that he would not leave Sri Lanka and would continue his operations.  

The investor was ready to wrap up operations in Sri Lanka and move his business out of the country following the incident.  

The Public Security Ministry said that the investor informed the minister that he will discuss with his family whether to operate this apparel factory in Katana or move it to another area.  
It was reported that over 300 Sri Lankans are employed at the apparel factory which is the sister company of a famous Omani apparel chain.  

Finger pointed at Indika Anuruddha

• Nalin Bandara requests the President to remove State Minister from the post

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

A finger is pointed at State Minister Indika Anuruddha for the assault of apparel factory owner in Katana who happened to be an Oman national, an opposition MP told Parliament yesterday.  

“The finger is pointed at the state minister and we request the President to remove him from the post,” MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha said. 

MP Sudarshini Fernandopulle also said that a politician is behind the attack. “Around 500 families who depend on the factory have been affected as a result of the closure of this factory. A politician is behind the attack,” she said.  

SJB MP Kavinda Jayawardene also expressed a similar remark. Investors will not come to Sri Lanka if attacks such as these occur,” he said.   

Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe who responded said the judiciary acts in accordance with the police reports and that he cannot do much about it because of this situation. “The judiciary acts in accordance with the police reports. Therefore I cannot do much about the Katana incident. One has to discuss the matter with the minister in charge of police,” he said in response to a request made by the opposition MPs to take action against those who are involved in the incident.   

Anuruddha denies involvement 

• “I had nothing to do with the assault”

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

State Minister Indika Anuruddha yesterday denied involvement on the assault of the apparel factory owner in Katana.   

“I had nothing to do with the assault. The police and CID are still carrying out investigations about the incident,” the state minister said.   

“ Ilicit liquor was found inside the house of the MP who accused me,” he said referring to SJB MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha.