• This incident happened when the second day of the first test match was  being played between the Sri Lankan and Australian Cricket teams 

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

Two lawyers yesterday filed a Fundamental Rights violation petition in Supreme Court challenging the legality of the deployment of Army personnel to forcefully disperse a peaceful protest at the ramparts of the Galle Fort on last Wednesday (29).  

Two lawyers Amara Diwakara Liyanarachchi and former JVP Parliamentarian Ajith Kumara who took part in the protest filed this petition naming Army Commander, the Commanding Officer of Galle-Fort, Defence Secretary, Minister of Public Security, IGP, Attorney General and several others as respondents.  

The Petitioners state that this incident happened when the second day of the first test match was being played between the Sri Lankan and Australian Cricket teams at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.  

The two lawyers state that they conducted their protest by holding banners and placards desisting the present Government and President, exercising their freedom of expression strictly within the bounds of law. The Petitioners reiterated that the said protest had not caused any disturbance whatsoever to the Cricket match nor to its spectators and any tourist visiting the Galle Fort.