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Fashion Bug Ltd. yesterday issued a statement over the recent attack at its stores and said the withdrawal of charges against the suspects was to preserve national harmony.
Following is the full text of the statement:
The 17 suspects arrested, including three Buddhist monks, were produced at the Gangodawila Court this morning following the attacks launched on the Fashion Bug warehouse and office complex in Pepiliyana, last Thursday.
The 200-strong mob, which commenced its first attack at a business institution situated close to the Fashion Bug head office and warehouse in Pepiliyana for unknown reasons to the management of Fashion Bug, had later moved towards company premises.
The suspects were arrested for causing extensive damages to the building, merchandise and vehicles. The attack had been recorded by some media personnel who were near the Fashion Bug head office when it took place and also by CCTV cameras at the office premises.
When the case was taken up in Court the aggrieved party, i.e. Fashion Bug, informed Court that it was not necessary to detain the suspects, particularly the clergy, in remand for the purpose of holding an identification parade, as such a situation could further erode national harmony and cause serious damage and prejudice locally as well as internationally. Therefore with the intention to maintain peace, it was informed to Court that Fashion Bug will not continue with the action any further.
The Police approved the submission of the aggrieved party and informed Court that because of the responsible civic conscious attitude of Fashion Bug they were able avert a national issue. The police following a strong warning to the suspects moved Court to discharge the suspects.
Accordingly, the Court discharged the suspects with a further warning to them to refrain from instigating such acts.
Senior Deputy Inspector General of Western Province Anura Senanayake reiterated at the Gangodawila Court premises that the said incident that fuelled the attack had no connection to Fashion Bug or any of its employees. “To withdraw their claims in the name of national peace despite being the victims of an attack of this magnitude is truly exemplary,” he noted.
The management of Fashion Bug states that the recent attack had caused the company much damage – both physical and emotional. Yet withdrawing the case in spite of all that, was the right course of action as a responsible corporate citizen to mitigate any issue in the future and promote unity as one nation.
The company thanks the media for reporting accurately about the said incident and releasing the correct message to the public.
The management of Fashion Bug further extends their gratitude to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his vehement pursuit of truth and justice with regard to the matter. The company thanks the Police and in particular the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Western Province Anura Senanayake for establishing swift law and order, all officials of the Special Forces for providing security, the team of lawyers for their guidance, all leaders for their counsel, each staff member of Fashion Bug across the country who perseveringly stood by the company and the valued customers who stood by the brand through this trying experience.
