Law is the same for you, me and everyone – President

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that he would establish an office to protect the peaceful protesters and support them.

"I will not allow any kind of prejudice to the peaceful activists," said the President while noting that some groups are trying to spread huge propaganda through social media that he is hunting down the protesters, which is not true.

If any injustice occurs to a peaceful activist, that person can call the 24-hour dedicated line and file a complaint, he said while adding that a Committee headed by a retired judge will examine the complaints and take necessary measures, accordingly.

If there are individuals who have participated in such illegal activities either unknowingly or due to the influence of others, a plan will be prepared to act sympathetically towards them.

"However, if there are individuals who intentionally violate the law and engage in violent and terrorist acts, legal action will be taken against them. I will not allow anyone to act outside the law. The law is the same for you, me, and everyone," said the President.

The law will be applied equally to the people who attacked the peaceful protesters on 09th May and those who are engaging in violence and terrorism under the guise of the struggle. "I will ensure that there is no political intervention in this process," he added.

"The struggle that started all over Colombo expecting system change was later centralized in Galle Face. This was expanded to several major cities in the island. This struggle was conducted on a non-violent basis and creative manner. These activists did not commit any act of violence. Therefore, families joined the struggle to express their protests. Parents were not afraid to even bring children to the places of protest," he commented on the original protests dating back to April 2022.

"Protesters once digitally illuminated the walls of the Presidential Secretariat, without any harm. Although, later this non-violence was suppressed and violence emerged, with certain politicized groups that became stakeholders. By indulging in violence the protests turned towards terrorism," he noted.

The President said he will not allow violence and terrorism. However, will protect non-violence and democracy. The peaceful struggle is a fundamental right. I accept those rights, he noted.