• It is the duty of security forces, police and the protesters themselves to maintain peace during today’s protests

By Yohan Perera  

The UNP will support today’s protest as long as it is peaceful, its Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.  

Mr. Wijewardene reminded that his party supported the protestors in Galle Face on May 9, 2022.   “I was appointed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to negotiate with the Galle Face protestors as soon as he was sworn in as the Premier. We accept that people of this country have been affected by the current economic downturn. Economy has crashed as a result of wrong decisions by the Rajapaksa regime,” Mr. Wijewardene said.  
“Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has spoken the truth and has revealed to the nation that people will have to pass a difficult time. We have reached that difficult moment.  

People have every right to protest. There should be room for a peaceful protest without any hindrance. We would like to remind the security forces and the police that law and order should be maintained peacefully. It is the duty of security forces, police and the protesters themselves to maintain peace during today’s protests,” he said. 

• Mr. Wijewardene reminded the security forces and the police that law and order should be maintained peacefully