The release added: “As far as we are concerned this is nothing more than a political gimmick organised by a bunch of crooks. Their followers will realise soon enough that it is not about the nation or the people but an act of desperation on the part of a few individuals who are being prosecuted for multiple infringements of the law including financial crimes and murder.

However, in line with the promises we have made to the people of this country, we will continue to uphold the principles of democracy; in this case the right to protest. In fact, the government will do its best to provide the maximum security possible to those who take part in this protest, meaningless though it is and misled though the protesters are.

Unlike during the previous regime, there won’t be hooligans and thugs disrupting this march. There won’t be baton-charging and there won’t be water-cannons.

There won’t be tear gas. Having said that, we would like to remind the organisers of this protest that a healthy democracy also includes the Rule of Law. No protest, however justifiable, warrants the breaking of the law. Just as much as we are mandated to uphold the principles of democracy, so too are we obliged to ensure that the Rule of Law is not compromised.”

(dailynews.lk)