News
SJB files three FR pleas challenging attempts by police to prevent public protests
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) on Friday filed three Fundamental Rights petitions in the Supreme Court seeking an order that attempts made by police to prevent protests using quarantine regulations violated the peoples’ fundamental rights.
The petitions were filed by three parliamentarians, Ranjith Maddumabandara (SJB General Secretary), Harshana Rajakaruna and Mayantha Dissanayake.
The petitioners named IGP Chandana Wickremaratne, Director-General of Health Services Asela Gunawardena, Health Minister Pavithra Devi Wanniaarachi and the Attorney General as respondents.
The petitioners pleaded that the guidelines by the Director-General of Health Services are illegal, unlawful, discriminatory and infringes the fundamental rights of the petitioners and the public.
The petitioners argued that the Director-General of Health Services does not have the right to issue such guidelines to be adhered to in public places.
The petitioners further said the highhanded actions of the police are unlawful and illegal by violating the Fundamental Rights of the citizenry.
They are seeking a declaration that the Petitioners’ fundamental rights under Articles 12(1), 13, 14(1)(a), 14(1)(b) and 14(1)(c) guaranteed under the Constitution have been infringed by the respondents.
The petitioners said that the law relating to preventive measures of pandemic diseases is contained in the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance No.3 of 1897 (as amended).
The Petitioners further said that they have been made aware of a letter dated 6.7.2021 bearing number PMD/PR/845/21 titled “Conducting various protests by creating a health hazard” issued by the Police Media Division to all media entities, concerning a letter bearing No. DDG(PHS)1/DO2/7/13/2017/20 of the Director-General of Health Services informing there is a high possibility of the risk of spread of the Covid-19 virus by large public gatherings such as protests and therefore the general public ought to refrain from organizing large public gatherings and protests.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has announced a reduction in the prices of Petrol 92 and Petrol 95, effective from midnight today (30).
The price of Petrol 92 has been reduced by Rs. 15 per litre, from Rs. 414 to Rs. 399 while the price of Petrol 95 Octane has been reduced by Rs. 20 per litre, from Rs. 495 to Rs. 475
There will be no change in the prices of diesel, Super Diesel and kerosene under the latest revision.
The book “Rathuwewi Mihimadala”, written based on the life story of Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Leader of the Democratic Left Front, was launched on Friday [August 28] at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Speaking to the media afterwards about Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
“Vasudeva Nanayakkara is a prominent figure in Sri Lankan politics, particularly within the left-wing political movement. There were several influential figures within the left movement, and that left-wing influence also contributed to bringing the country to where it is today. Politically, there were areas where we agreed and areas where we did not. However, I have great respect for the contribution made by Vasudeva Nanayakkara to left-wing politics. When I entered Parliament in 2020, Vasudeva Nanayakkara was also in Parliament. We sat in the same row, and we spoke about many important as well as interesting moments in his political career. I believe some of these experiences have also been included in this book.”
The event was attended by members of the Maha Sangha, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara, former President Maithripala Sirisena, former Speakers Karu Jayasuriya and Chamal Rajapaksa, as well as party members, family members and friends.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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Sun directly overhead Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon today (30)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (30) are Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and
Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon.
Petrol to cost less from midnight today (30)
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