By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

Two Fundamental Rights petitions filed seeking an order staying the coming into operation of the gazette notification preventing unvaccinated people from entering public places were yesterday fixed for support by the Supreme Court.  

 The Supreme Court fixed the two petitions to be taken up for support on March 31.  Navindra Lal Gooneratne, Dr Ranjiva Mohan Munasinghe, Indrani Swarna Hassanally, Piyavi Wijewardene, Gamika Gunawardena and Don Felex Marcian Jayatilleke filed these petitions naming Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Ministry Secretary Dr. S.H. Munasinghe and several others as respondents. The petitioner said he has consistently relied upon Ayurveda and Traditional Sinhala Medical Systems in securing his personal health.  

The petitioners stated that the respondents are attempting to make, indirectly, the vaccines mandatory.  
On January 25, the Health Minister had issued an Extraordinary Gazette preventing unvaccinated people from entering or being in public places. According to the gazette notification, people must have proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to enter public places starting 30 April.   

Faizer Musthapha PC with counsel Hafeel Farisz , Shantha Jayawardena, Amila Perera instructed by Sanjeewa Kaluarachchi appeared for the petitioners.  

• The Supreme Court fixed the petitions to be taken up for support on March 31