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arguing that evicting Tamils from Colombo was “wrongful, unlawful and illegal and
violates the fundamental rights of those persons who were so evicted.” 126 The
Supreme Court issued an interim order on June 8, directing the Inspector General of
the Police, Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa, and eight other respondents to
halt the expulsions. The interim order also stopped the government from preventing
Tamil citizens from entering or staying in any part of Colombo. 127
That evening, President Rajapaksa ordered IGP Perera to open an immediate inquiry.
“Allegations that officials exceeded their authority in implementing this initiative will
be thoroughly investigated and appropriate remedial action taken, including
disciplinary action against any wrong doing on the part of any government official,” a
statement from the president’s office said. 128
Two days later, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake apologized for the
evictions, saying “it was a big mistake.” He told reporters, “I express regret and
apologize to the Tamil community on behalf of the government.” 129
That same day, the Sunday Leader published details of the government’s decision,
including the directive to the police on the expulsion, entitled “Directives issued by
State Defence Ministry Secretary following the discussion on 31.05.2007” and signed
by Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa. According to this, the decision had been
made at a top-level meeting at the Defence Ministry presided by Gothabaya
Rajapaksa on May 31, the paper said. Others present reportedly included IGP Victor
Perera, Army Chief of Staff Lawrence Fernando, and Colombo Deputy Inspectors
General Rohan Abeywardene and D.W. Prathapasingha. 130
126 “The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) Welcomes the Interim Order Issued by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka,” Centre for
Policy Alternatives press release, June 9, 2007,
http://www.cpalanka.org/research_papers/Press_Release_on_the_interim_order.pdf (accessed June 25, 2007).
127 Ibid.
128 “Lodge Residents – President Asks IGP for Immediate Report,” Media Centre for National Security news release, June 9,
2007, http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=6169 (accessed June 25, 2007).
129 Amal Jayasinghe, “Sri Lanka Says Sorry for Evicting Tamils,” Agence France-Presse, June 10, 2007.
130 Lasantha Wickrematunge, “The Sunday Leader Blows the Lid on Eviction Drama Following the President's Call for Probe,”
Sunday Leader (Colombo), June 10, 2007.
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