MOUs with India and conflicting ministerial theories

The issue concerning the MOUs with India has also turned to be a blow on the credibility of the NPP as the ministers have been repeatedly refusing to reveal them to the people, giving conflicting reasons

- By M.S.M.Ayub

The professed moral high ground of the National People’s Power (NPP) is being seriously questioned in respect of some of its actions such as the using the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against suspects and the Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with India signed last month

PTA has been used twice by the authorities against suspects during the first six months of the NPP administration first against the suspects who allegedly acted in a manner inimical to the security of the Israeli tourists in Arugam Bay in the Eastern Province and later against a youth who has allegedly pasted a sticker condemning the Israeli atrocities in Gaza on a trash bin at a shopping mall in Colombo.

The detention of the youth triggered strong public backlash and protests. Early April, demonstrators gathered in Slave Island demanding his release. Thousands of stickers in support of Palestine were distributed during the protest, with participants voicing concern over the suppression of free expression and the use of counter-terror laws against peaceful activism.

The justification of the incident by the police and the ministers raises more questions. Police said that the investigation conducted after the sticker incident revealed that the 22-year-old Mohamed Rusdhi had been subjected to some motivation due to using the internet and other methods and there was a reasonable suspicion that he was susceptible to committing a terrorist act. Cabinet spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa who is also the media minister had also echoed this police version at a media briefing.