The United National Party (UNP) today said that an international investigation should definitely be conducted regarding the attack on the protest launched by residents of Rathupaswala requesting for clean drinking water.

Terming the attack which took place at Weliweriya on August 01 as an “inhumane act,” MP Tissa Attanayake stated that not only was the incident one step in the “militarization” of the country but also an attempt at creating a problem between the army and the public.

The UNP General Secretary further said that the government has still not revealed who gave the order to attack civilians.

He stated that such an incident should not happen in a civilized society and that he understands now what may have happened in the North, if such an occurrence can take place in the South.

Attanayake pointed out that the police cannot call in the army at a time when there are no emergency laws.

However, a campaign is being launched to frighten the voters in the North ahead of the upcoming election, he said, addressing a press conference in Colombo today.

The UNP parliamentarian also charged that the government is using the ‘Deyata Kirula’ exhibition to carry out election propaganda and that a complaint has been filed with the Election Commissioner regarding this matter.