The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today charged that the government was using quarantine laws to suppress the opposition instead of using them to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva told a news conference that the police were planning to go to court against a protest organised by the JVP at the Parliament Roundabout against the Port City Bill.
He said the government was planning to take them to court for violating quarantine laws, even though they had organised the protest adhering to quarantine rules and regulations.
“No one was able to stage any protest against this destructive Bill due to quarantine laws and COVID situation. However, we as JVP, organised a symbolic protest adhering to quarantine laws. Police Spokesman was heard saying on news that the police would make submissions in court for violating quarantine laws. This is an attempt to frighten the opposition. The government is using quarantine laws to witch-hunt opposition and cover up its failures,” he said.
Mr. Silva said when the health professionals pointed out the gravity of the COVID situation the country is facing, the government tried to silence them instead of rectifying its shortcomings.
“The Health Ministry Secretary had issued a circular banning those in the health ministry from giving statements to the media. The Government is hiding the true COVID situation in the country. It is not disclosing the actual number of patients and death toll. The Government is trying to cover up its failure,” he said.
