• About 150 to 200 members of the Women’s Wing of Jathika Jana Balawegaya had attended the protest

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda 

A Fundamental Rights petition filed by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, while she was serving as an MP representing the NPP, challenging the police attack on a peaceful protest held at the Polduwa Junction in 2023, was yesterday fixed for January 30 by the Supreme Court.   

Five petitioners including Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Parliamentarian Nilanthi Kottahachchi filed this petition seeking a declaration that the respondents, including the then Acting IGP Deshabandu Thennakoon, violated their Fundamental Rights.  

President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris, appearing for the petitioners, informed Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Achala Wengappuli and Priyantha Fernando that the police have initiated criminal proceedings against the petitioners in the Magistrate’s Court in relation to the incident. He added that the petitioners would consider withdrawing this application if the police drop the criminal proceedings against them in the Magistrate’s Court.  

The petitioners stated that, on December 4, 2023 Parliament was to debate the Budget pertaining to the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.  

They stated that, as per the Appropriation Bill for 2024, the allocations for the affairs of women and children have been reduced by 51%. The Petitioners state that, in the circumstances, the Petitioners and the other members of the Women’s Wing of Jathika Jana Balawegaya organised a protest at Polduwa Junction, in order to bring to the attention of the public and the government, that the government is not adequately addressing the issues pertaining to women and children.  

The Petitioners state that, about 150 to 200 members of the Women’s Wing of Jathika Jana Balawegaya along with the Petitioners attended a protest.  

The Petitioners state that Dr. Harini Amarasuriya could make her speech only for about two minutes and thereafter the police fired water cannons directly at Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and thereafter targeting all the protestors.   
They stated that police fired water cannons at women protestors who engaged in a peaceful protest, and it amounts to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.  

President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris with Chamara Nanayakkarawasam appeared for the petitioners. Deputy Solicitor General Madhawa Tennakoon appeared for the Attorney General.