Out of respect for teachers, govt. directed police to act with maximum restraint in handling protesters, says Minister Weerasekera

Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (retd.) Sarath Weerasekera yesterday said that he had utmost respect for his teachers and therefore he had advised police to act with utmost restraint in handling protesting teachers. Addressing a ceremony held at the Public Security Ministry, to hand over 10 million rupees for the procurement of special equipment to detect drunk drivers, the Minister said that the President had instructed the police to respect the rights of protesters.

The funds for the purchase of equipment was given to the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board to make the procurements of the special equipment for the use of policemen to detect drunk drivers.

The Minister said that the country’s economy was in a critical state owing to the pandemic. The tourism industry had almost collapsed. “Large number of Lankan migrant workers have lost their jobs. The Health sector has to cover unexpected expenses in facing the pandemic. It is in this context the teachers have taken to the streets demanding solutions for their salary problems. Suppose their grievances are reasonable and just but we cannot approve such gatherings and rallies because of the critical situation. Our utmost priority at this time should be the prevention of the spread of the pandemic.”

Among those present were Transport Minister Gamini Lokuge, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Maj. Gen. Jagath Alwis, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport N.B.M. Ranatunga, Chairman of the National Council on Road Safety Anton de Mens and Specialist Dr Priyangi Amarabandu of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board.