Colombo Magistrate refuses to ban SJB Hyde Park protest

By T. Farook Thajudeen

Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddika Sri Ragala yesterday refused to ban the protest scheduled for today (16 November) by Samagi Jana Balavegaya at Hyde Park.

Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala issued this order on considering the submissions made by Senior Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Deleepa Pieris and perusing the documents filed by the Attorney General in Court.

The Magistrate observed that even though the DSG had stated that protest would violate the directions made by the Health Service Director General Asela Herath in respect of the COVID-19 pandemic, no such direction had been revealed by the documents filed in court.

The Magistrate also said that the Attorney General had filed this application in a wrong court. He said that it should be filed at the Fort Magistrate Court who has the Jurisdiction to hear the application.

However, the Magistrate said that since Fort Magistrate Court is a part of Chief Magistrate Court he will inquire into the application.

The Magistrate further said it is a right of the public to protest to which the court cannot interfere,

He directed the police arrest violators of the COVID-19 directions of the Director of Health and dismissed the application of the Attorney General.

Separately, the Government has declared new anti-coronavirus regulations to limit the size of public gatherings, days before the opposition plans to hold a mass rally in Hyde Park. The Government has empowered authorities to determine the maximum number of people gathering at public meetings in an order made on Thursday.