Rajagiriya Police yesterday requested an order from the Judiciary to disperse the protest march to be held today (4th) commencing from Office of the Commissioner of Elections at Rajagiriya to Campbell Park in Borella organized by the political parties supporting the Common Presidential Candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka. The march is organized to protest against the undemocratic agenda of the government contravening election regulations, unleashing thugs to attack political activists who carry out peaceful campaigns and using state power unethically.
The Rajagiriya Police requested this order from the Courts after filing petition No. D/3043 stating that there were groups preparing to hold processions violating the election laws. The police requested the order under S 65 of the ordinance No. 15 0f 1981 for election of a President S 95 of the Penal code to disperse the procession if it turns out to be not peaceful.
Manjula Pathiraja, Attorney at law for respondents raised objection to this order stating that under the constitution, holding peaceful protest rallies is a fundamental right of a citizen. He also wanted to know how an order could be given assuming that the procession held next day would not be peaceful.
However, the Magistrate Gihan Ranasinghe after hearing both sides gave permission to the Police to disperse tomorrow’s procession if it is not peaceful. The OIC of the Rajagiriya Police appeared for the plaintiff. Lawyers Manjula Pathiraja and Chanaka Hewawitharane appeared for the respondents.
The Rajagiriya Police requested this order from the Courts after filing petition No. D/3043 stating that there were groups preparing to hold processions violating the election laws. The police requested the order under S 65 of the ordinance No. 15 0f 1981 for election of a President S 95 of the Penal code to disperse the procession if it turns out to be not peaceful.
Manjula Pathiraja, Attorney at law for respondents raised objection to this order stating that under the constitution, holding peaceful protest rallies is a fundamental right of a citizen. He also wanted to know how an order could be given assuming that the procession held next day would not be peaceful.
However, the Magistrate Gihan Ranasinghe after hearing both sides gave permission to the Police to disperse tomorrow’s procession if it is not peaceful. The OIC of the Rajagiriya Police appeared for the plaintiff. Lawyers Manjula Pathiraja and Chanaka Hewawitharane appeared for the respondents.
