State Minister Palitha Range Bandara today said that there is not a hint of fear that the Joint Opposition’s Pada Yatra will topple the government but there is a fear of property being stolen by the “gang of thieves” on the way to Colombo.  

He stated that the police department seeking court orders preventing the protest march from entering certain cities is not in any way a wrong action as it is a legal method opted beforehand to prevent any possible damages or criminal actions from occurring. 

Responding to a question from a journalist during a press briefing in Colombo, he said that such measures also ensure the safety of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is taking part in the protest march. 

The Sate Minister of Skill Development and Vocational Training said that the attack on the ambulance passing through during the march was an act of violence instigated by a collective of people and that it is unlawful assembly.   

Range Bandara said that so far a former President or Prime Minister has never been arrested for unlawful assembly in Sri Lanka’s history. 

The police sought a court order to prevent Mahinda Rajapaksa from becoming the first ex-head of state arrested on such charges, he said.