Galle Chief Magistrate Isuru Nettikumara, who ordered the release on bail of the two suspects who were arrested for committing a criminal offense while protesting in front of the Southern Province Governor’s office on the 23rd, cautioned the police officers saying that protesting is a sacred right of the public and that the police must protect the basic rights of the people. . (Sri Lanka Latest News)
Dhammika Nayana Kumara (28) and Menaka Vikramanaka (33) active members of the People’s Struggle Trade Union Center were released.
The group engaged in a demonstration yesterday demanding that the jobs of the Galle Municipal Council be confirmed and the police attacked and dispersed the demonstration.
The two were arrested on the 23rd by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Galle Police and brought to the Galle Magistrate’s Court on the 24th under charges of unlawful assembly under the Ceylon Penal Code, being members of an unruly crowd, obstructing the duty of police officers and causing injuries, criminal coercion, trespassing and mischief.
The injured police officers were asked to be sent to a parade to identify the suspects and to remand the suspects as the investigation has not been completed.
The lawyers who appeared for the suspects claimed that these suspects were severely beaten and arrested by the police during a peaceful protest, and that the police disregarded those rights even though it was a protest to protect fundamental rights.
After considering all the facts, the Magistrate said that protesting is a fundamental right of the public and the judiciary is always bound to protect the fundamental rights of the public. Accordingly, attacking any peaceful protest by the police in the Galle judicial area should not be done in violation of fundamental rights, and if such incidents occur in the future, strict action will be taken against the concerned police officers and order the two suspects to be released on bail of 10 lakh rupees each.
The identification parade was also cancelled as the suspects admitted that they were agitating.
The Magistrate further informed that neither the rulers nor the police have the power to violate the fundamental rights of the people and that the courts are always committed to protecting the fundamental rights of the people.
