The Liberal Youth Movement has filed a Fundamental Rights petition challenging the July 18 Emergency Regulations.
The Liberal Youth Movement’s convenors, Namini Panditha and Rusiru Egodage, filed the FR petition.
The petitioners contend that the aforementioned Regulations violate their fundamental rights as well as the fundamental rights of the Sri Lankan people, as guaranteed by Articles 11, 12(1), 13(1), 13(2), 13(5), 14(1)(a), 14(1)(b), and 14(1)(c) of the Constitution.
They go on to say that certain provisions of the Emergency Regulations impose unconstitutional restrictions on free expression, because even legitimate criticism of the government and the dissemination of accurate information that may alarm some segments of the population could be punished under the Regulations.
Certain provisions of the Regulations, the petitioners argue, also empower the President to prohibit even peaceful and nonviolent gatherings without cause, infringing on people’s freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
They went on to say that certain provisions of the Regulations have no rational connection to national security or public order, such as those allowing the arrest and detention of people suspected of archaic criminal offences, such as same-sex relationships between consenting adults.
The petitioners argue that such provisions have no connection whatsoever with the maintenance of public security in the country.
Dr. Gehan Gunathilake will appear on behalf of the petitioners representing the Liberal Youth Movement (LYM)