Heavy police presence in Colombo ahead of protests

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Heavy police presence was witnessed since morning on Wednesday (2) in Colombo ahead of the mass protest planned by multiple groups including political parties.

Trade Unions, Students Movements, supported by political parties will march from Maradana to Fort, where a rally will take place against state suppression.

The Samagi Jana Balavegaya, Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Frontline Socialists Party, Tamil National Alliance, 43rd Brigade, Freedom People's Congress among 20 political parties, and over 150 trade unions and mass organizations will take part in the protest.

Police says NO permission:

Sri Lanka Police has issued a letter informing the various protest groups - including students, trade, and political bodies - who planned to protest in Colombo on Wednesday (2), stating that permission will not be granted to protest opposite the Fort Railway Station or in close proximity.

The letter bears the signature of Colombo Central Division 1 Police Superintendent K. A. E. N Dilruk and police officers visited the offices and residences of the protest groups early on Wednesday (2) to hand over the letter.

Sri Lanka Police confirmed that such a letter was dispatched.

The letter goes on to state that during the period of the planned protest roads in Colombo may be blocked, and therefore it may pose obstructions to the public and private office staff who are heading home after work, and the wholesale trading in Fort, and Pettah.

It added that traffic congestion caused by the protest would also delay the shipping of freight containers expected to reach Colombo from the Biyagama, Wathupitiwala, and Kandy Economic Zones and thus impacting the country's economy as well.

The letter from the Police Superintendent also added that the protest would lead to traffic congestion affecting the movement of tourists as well.

It added that in order to use a gramophone, loud-speaker, megaphone, amplifier or any other device to generate sound permission needs to be obtained from a Superintendent of Police under Section 80 of the Police Ordinance, and such permission has not been obtained.

It further notes that if there is any traffic congestion or obstruction, necessary measures will have to be taken as per the Police Ordinance and other laws to remove such inconveniences caused to the public.

Human Rights body to monitor protest:

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka reiterates that the Police must NOT use the provisions of the Police Ordinance to violate the fundemental rights declared and recognized by the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

The HRCSL made this a statement in response to a letter submitted to the Commission by trade unions and mass organizations, informing that the Police had illegally notified them to obtain permisison for the peaceful protest set to be held on Wednesday (2).

The HRCSL highlights that peaceful protests arr permitted according to Section 77 of the Police Ordinance.

It warned the Police that the Constitution of Sri Lanka is infact the supreme law of the country, adding that violating fundamental rights would result in serious consequences.

The HRCSL also reminds the Police to pay attention to the recommendations made by the Commission to the Public Security Minister on the 28th of September.

According to the statement, a team attached to the Human Rights Commission will also be deployed to monitor the peaceful protest march.

Chambers want protest called off:

Six major business chambers in Sri Lanka have called for the halting of anti-government protests that they say could undermine efforts taken to stabilize the economy. 

In a joint statement, the chambers added that negative publicity could seriously derail action that are being taken to revive the economy, particularly the efforts taken to revive tourism.

'Any act of destabilization taking place at this time and any negative publicity arising from it would seriously derail actions that are being taken to revive the economy including the efforts being taken to promote tourism' the statement read.

Pointing out that a few airlines have agreed to commence flights to Sri Lanka and given the high cost of energy in Europe during the winter, Sri Lanka will have an ideal opportunity to attract tourists which will support the Hospitality industry, the Chambers say that  any instability can affect the recovery process for exports and foreign investment too.

'We appeal to all parties to divert their energies and resources towards encouraging positive reforms and focus on how we recover as a nation instead of engaging in acts that can further damage the economy and place more burdens on the people of this country' the statement mentioned.

This statement has been issued by the following Chambers:

Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC)

Chamber of Young Lanka Entrepreneurs (COYLE)

Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL)

International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL)

National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) 

Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC)