• Last Update 2024-03-28 18:57:00

FR against deploying Army to disperse peaceful protest on Galle Fort

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Two lawyers filed a Fundamental Rights violation petition in the Supreme Court today, questioning the legality of the deployment of Army personnel last Wednesday to disperse a peaceful protest on the ramparts of the Galle Fort (29).

Protesters carried banners and placards with anti-government slogans and urged the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday (29) during Sri Lanka vs Australia test cricket match. Then, Police and Army took measures to remove the protesters from the site.

The petition was filed by two lawyers, Amara Diwakara Liyanarachchi and former Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Parliamentarian Ajith Kumara. Army Commander, the Commanding Officers of Galle-Fort, the Defence Secretary, the Minister of Public Security, the IGP and the Attorney General were named as key respondents of the case. 

According to the petitioners, this incident occurred on the second day of the first test match between the Sri Lankan and Australian cricket teams at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. 

The petitioners reiterated that the protest had caused no disruption to the cricket match, its spectators, or any tourists visiting the Galle Fort as protesters only demonstrated by holding placards and banners against the current government. 

The arrival of military personnel armed with firearms on the ramparts of the Gall Fort and forcibly dispersing a peaceful protest while police officers were present and without any authority is illegal and endangers the lives of the general public, the petitioners stated.  

The petitioners are also seeking a declaration that the respondents have violated the petitioners' Fundamental Rights as guaranteed by Article 11, Article 12(1), Article 14(1)(a), Article 14(1)(b), and Article 14(1)(h) of the Constitution.

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