He told Sandeshaya that this unfortunate incident and the tense situation that followed could have averted if the government had held talks with opposition political parties on the private pension bill.

All party discussions

“We had agreed for talks but all party discussions were not held. There was no reason given for that,” he said.

Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on Thursday told media that the proposed pension bill has been temporarily suspended.

However, he said, it will be implemented later followed by talks.

Opposition leader Wickremsinghe said the move to withhold the planed pension scheme will certainly be helpful to calm prevailing tensions.

“I can’t see them going ahead with it,” he told Sandeshaya.