Sri Lanka to probe alleged coup attempt

The new Sri Lankan government will launch an investigation into an alleged coup attempt by the former administration during the presidential election, a spokesman said Sunday.

United National Party (UNP) MP Mangala Samaraweera said pressure had been exerted on police and army to prevent Maithripala Sirisena from winning the presidential election, Xinhua reported.

But Samaraweera said the police and the army refused to comply, and the country was grateful that they ensured a peaceful, free and fair election.

He said that once the new cabinet was appointed, a special investigation would be launched and details of the attempted coup would be revealed to the public.

He said that while the election day was peaceful, there were things taking place behind the screens which would need to be exposed.

Samaraweera also said that some members of the former government had not accepted the defeat and were spreading false allegations, giving the impression that the country was now unstable.

The UNP legislator said special focus had been placed on attempts to spread rumours following the election, and he urged the Sri Lankan public not be misled by them.

Samaraweera said the new government would not allow groups to operate with the intention of creating rifts between communities and religions.