UPFA General Secretary and SLFP National Organizer Susil Premajayantha hit out at Minister of Public Order and Christian Religious Affairs John Amaratunga and the Police Department for not taking swift action regarding the rape and murder of a schoolgirl in Jaffna.

While condemning the criminal act and the subsequent disturbances, Premajayantha said that the delay by the police worsened the situation.

He further stated that the country now has a ‘John-Police’, implying that the police was being politicized under the present government.

Premajayantha made these observations at a press conference at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo this morning.

The gang-rape and murder of a 17 year-old schoolgirl in Punguditivu in Jaffna created massive protests in Jaffna Peninsula. Protests turned violent on May 20 in Jaffna city, and several policemen were injured as a result.