Prez suppressing people’s right to protest, say JVP lawyers

Lawyers of the JVP-led NPP Saturday condemned President Ranil Wickremesinghe for making statements threatening the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL). Addressing the media at the party headquarters, in Pelawatte, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala said President Ranil Wickremeisnghe had issued a veiled threat to the HRCSL by asking it not to intervene as regards protests.

“We condemn this statement. He is threatening members of a commission appointed to protect the fundamental rights of the people. This is a threat to the HRCSL as well as other law enforcement agencies.” he said.  “The HRCSL has decided to inquire into a complaint regarding the obstruction of two women marching from Panadura to Colombo by the police. Now, according to Ranil’s threat should it be stopped?” he asked.

Watagala said the President’s statement claiming the people must obtain a permit to travel along the road was also serious. He pointed out that Article 74 of the Police Ordinance only said one had to obtain permission from the police for protests.

“Permits have to be obtained only for activities such as sand mining and sale of liquor,” Watagala said, adding that the statement could even result in the President being named as a party to a fundamental rights petition.

“We will include the President’s statement in the Hansard in all future fundamental rights petitions if the President seeks to suppress the rights of the people. Wickremesinghe has made this statement against the Constitution, taking shield behind parliamentary privileges.”

Watagala said the President had given free rein to the police.