National People’s Power (NPP) MP Chandana Suriyaarachchi has stated that the violence leading to houses being set on fire was triggered by the attack on a peaceful protest. He further alleged that former ministers manipulated compensation payments for their damaged properties, distributing the funds among their associates.
Speaking to the media, MP Suriyaarachchi emphasized that rather than questioning whether the fires actually occurred, the focus should be on why compensation was granted in the first place. He argued that the violent backlash came in response to a riotous group attacking peaceful demonstrators, which then sparked unrest across various sections of society.
He also pointed out that the true extent of financial misuse was exposed in Parliament, revealing how public funds were unfairly distributed. He stated that former ministers exaggerated their damages and wrongfully benefited from taxpayer money, ensuring compensation was shared among selected individuals rather than being fairly allocated.
