• Says it was a shame that police were silent when rioters took the law into their hands

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera 

The government should take full responsibility for the collapse of the rule of law and failure of religious values, which led to recent incidents of murders and arson in the country, former Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said yesterday. 

 Speaking at the votes of condolence of late Amarakeerthi Athukorala, he told Parliament it was a shame that police were silent when rioters took the law into their hands and committed murders and set fire to houses at will. 
He said rioters have taken the law into their hands as the government allowed them to do so in fear of the United States and Western countries for the sake of human rights. 

“It is prohibited to spit on the streets in Singapore. People are killed on the street in daylight here. In Singapore, one month prior notice should be given before trade union actions. Strikes are launched here at the will of trade unions. It is prohibited to block roads and stage protests in other countries,” he said. 
The MP said a Trial-at-Bar should be appointed to take up the case involving the killing of Parliamentarian Amarakeerhti Athukorala.