Eleven lawyers filed separate Fundamental Rights petitions in the Supreme Court today, questioning the legality of the deployment of Army personnel to disperse a peaceful protest on the ramparts of the Galle Fort on June 29.
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.
Attorneys-at-law Nalani Manatunga, Chandana Kodakandage, Gopika Lokuge, Thusitha Madusanka, Samith Thushara Gallage, Eranga Ruwan Hemantha, Jothirathna Arachchi, Kumudu Nanayakkara, Chandranath Narangoda, Renuka Shanthimala and Kusumawathi Pahala Gamage filed these petitions naming filed this petition naming Minister of Public Security, IGP, Army Commander, Attorney General and several others as respondents.
The Petitioners claim that they decided as a group with other lawyers to go to the Ramparts to watch the cricket match and cheer and support the Sri Lankan team, as well as to protest the President’s and the Government’s actions. As a result, the Petitioners, along with a group of other lawyers, reached the ramparts of the Galle Fort and attempted to enter the ramparts of the Galle Fort from the Public Entrance near the Clock Tower in Galle Fort.
They also claim that the presence of military personnel armed with firearms on the ramparts of the Galle Fort while police officers were present, and without any authority, is grossly illegal and endangers the lives of the Petitioners, other protestors, and members of the general public who visited the ramparts of the Galle Fort.
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.
They further state that the arrival of military personnel armed with firearms at the ramparts of the Galle Fort whilst police officers were present, and without any authority whatsoever is grossly illegal and a danger to the life of the Petitioners, other protestors and also to the lives of the general public who visited the ramparts of the Galle Fort.
The petitioners are further seeking a declaration that the Fundamental Rights of the Petitioners as guaranteed by Article 11, Article 12(1), Article 14(1)(a), Article 14(1)(b) and Article 14(1)(h) of the Constitution have been violated by the respondents.
This petition had been filed through Attorney-at-law Manoja Gunawardene.