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Minister orders probe into MP’s assault on Grama Niladhari
The Ministry of Public Administration has begun an inquiry into the assault of a Grama Niladhari by a ruling party MP in Kurunegala last week.
“I have asked for a report in a week or two from the Additional Government Agent (AGA) of Kurunegala,” Public Administration Minister John Seneviratne said.
The attack by Kurunegala district UPFA Parliamentarian Nimal Wijesinghe caused much uproar among fellow Grama Niladharis and local level state employees who held picketing campaigns and news briefings islandwide.
Grama Niladharis protesting against the attack
“I got to know that a group of people were attempting to cut jak trees without a permit. The Ceylon Electricity Board had marked several trees to be cut down in order to clear a path for a high voltage electricity line. However, permission is required from the Divisional Secretariat and the trees have to be cut in the presence of a Grama Niladhari. There are rules under the Food Act to be followed when cutting a jack tree,” Mr. Wimalasiri said.
Mr. Wimalasiri who was just one month into his appointment said the felling of jak trees was being carried out by a person identified as Sampath, a timber dealer of the area and strong supporter of MP Wijesinghe.
“I went to the area and explained that a permit was needed, otherwise it is an illegal act. The man who was ordering the felling of jak trees, Sampath told that it was the MP who had given him permission to cut down the trees,” he said.
According to Sanath, the timber dealer had called the MP and had handed over the mobile phone to him.
“I did not answer, because I couldn’t allow illegal felling of trees, whether or not it was done with the blessing of an MP,” he said, adding that the MP soon arrived on the scene and berated him for not answering the phone call.
“When I said that it was my duty to stop an illegal activity, he slapped me so hard, I fell. He then began kicking my stomach.”
The Grama Niladhari was then admitted to the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital.
An infuriated Grama Niladhari Association said its members continue to be victims of threats and verbal abuse from politicians, especially local government members and their supporters.
Neville Wijeratne, national organiser of the association said that as they have some police powers they could not take trade union action, but the association would report to President Rajapaksa over continuous interruption to their duties. He said they would also report about politicians and their supporters being involved in illegal activities.
Mr. Wijeratne said the Ministry of Public Administration should conduct an inquiry and take strict disciplinary action against the MP.
However, MP Nimal Wijesinghe (alias Nilwala) denied any assault and said that he arrived on the scene because people informed him that the Grama Niladhari was preventing the cutting of branches of trees.
“I got involved because I am the Rideegama area coordinating committee chairman and there was a 33,000 volt electricity line that was being obstructed by the trees. The Grama Niladhari refused to talk over the phone. I threatened him saying that I am a well known MP in this area and he is just a new Grama Niladhari,” the MP said.
MP Wijesinghe said that he would instruct the District Secretary and the Divisional Secretary to conduct investigations against the Grama Niladhari.
Though the Court had ordered the arrest of the MP who was involved in obstructing the duty of a government official and alleged assault, the Mawathagama police Officer-in-Charge and a team had been unable to find the MP even at his residence in Rideegama.
Police Spokesman Ajith Rohana said Mr. Wijesinghe was absconding and police were in search of the him.
Several days later the MP surrendered to Pilassa Magistrate’s Courts in Mawathagama, where he was released on a Rs. 1,500 cash bail and a surety bond of Rs 100,000. The case will be taken up on August 25.