Police action on protesters: Public Security Minister fails to appear before HRCSL

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, who was asked to appear before the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission (HRCSL) yesterday, over the actions of the Police and Security Forces to control the recent protests, failed to appear before the Commission.  

Earlier, the HRCSL decided to conduct an investigation into the actions of the Police and Security Forces to control the protests held in Colombo and Kelaniya universities on March 7 and 8.   

Accordingly, the HRCSL said it had informed the minister to appear before the commission on Monday (March 13).   

However, a spokesman of the ministry said that the minister had decided not to appear before the commission as the relevant summon was not done according to the proper procedure.   
The spokesman said that the decision to summon the minister before the commission was taken by its chairman and the other four members of the commission were not aware of the summons.   

The spokesman said that the minister would inform the HRCSL in writing about the decision.