NPP female lawyers plan Supreme Court action against alleged police brutality

The JVP-led NPP female lawyers have vowed to take legal action against what they claim was a severe police assault on women near the Parliament roundabout on December 4.

Addressing a press conference held at the JVP Headquarters in Pelawatte the following day, Attorney-at-Law Dhanushki Liyanapatabendi, said that their female colleagues had organized a peaceful protest near the Parliament Roundabout to voice concerns about various injustices, notably the significant reduction in allocations to the Ministry of Women’s and Child Affairs. Despite adverse weather conditions, numerous women participated in the demonstration.

Liyanapatabendi said: “Video footage of the incident clearly demonstrates that the police’s use of force was not aimed at dispersing the demonstration. At the time of the attack, the protest was nearly concluded, and protesters were dispersing from the site.”

“As we approach the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an attack of this nature reflects the prevailing state of human rights in our country,” she said.

Attorney-at-Law Disni Samanthika Liyanarachchi emphasized the fundamental right of citizens to stage protests. “The slashing of allocations to the Women’s and Child Affairs Ministry, while women and children face immense hardships, is unacceptable. This act against females exercising their constitutional rights is condemnable. It seems that the government resorts to force when people take to the streets.”

Attorney-at-Law Chamila Kulasekera said: “All female organizations nationwide have decried the police attack on the protest. This ruthless act will not silence us. We stand resilient against oppression. The politicization of the police force by the Acting IGP to please the government is a matter of shame.”

Attorney-at-Law Nilanthi Kottahachchi: “The NPP lawyers will imminently file a fundamental rights petition against the police attack in the Supreme Court. The protest was within the confines of peace and citizen rights, as guaranteed by the Constitution.”

Attorney at Law Nimala Siriwardena pointed out the drastic reduction in funds allocated to the Women and Child Affairs Ministry in the 2024 budget compared to the previous year. “This sharp decrease in funds amidst increased allocations for other purposes is unjust. The protest aimed to address this blatant inequality,” she said

Attorneys-at-Law Krishanthi Wijebandara, Chandima Hathurusinhe, and Geetha Darshani also addressed the media conference emphasizing the need to address the alleged police brutality and the broader issues faced by women and children in the country.