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SJB vows new protests over Mahara riot killings
Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa is leading his Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party into further protests following this week’s dramatic demonstration against the government’s handling of the Mahara prison riot in which 11 inmates were killed.
Earlier this week Mr. Premadasa led SJB members in a silent protest outside the Presidential Secretariat against claimed government oppression.
Party members wore black face masks and black shawls, and held flaming rods and a large black banner saying, “Stop suppression, defeat lies and allow the truth”.
Mr. Premadasa said the Government had revealed few details about the dead prison inmates.
Apart from the 11 prisoners shot dead during the riot, 100 other inmates were left injured.
“The government is violating basic human rights,” Mr. Premadasa said.
SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara and party members including Mujiber Rahuman, Rajitha Senaratne, Thissa Athanayake, Harin Fernando, Kabir Hashim, Patali Champika Ranawaka and Gayantha Karunathilake also took part in the demonstration.
SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna said details about planned demonstrations would be released tomorrow.
The party would expose the government’s wrongdoings, General Secretary Maddumabandara said.