Open-Air theatre at Viharamahadevi Park available for peaceful protests: Prez

25 July 2022 08:46 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 16 Bookmark

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American Civil Liberty Union says protesters cannot block Govt buildings

President Ranil Wickremesinghe briefed the diplomatic community that facilitates within Colombo, such as the Open-Air theatre at Viharamahadevi Park, New Town Hall, Hyde Park and Campbell Park were all being made available for non-violent protests.

In his briefing to the diplomatic community last Friday, the President reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to upholding the rights of peaceful, non-violent protests.

The meeting had been convened to brief the Diplomats on the removal of the protesters who had been illegally occupying the Presidential Secretariat. President Wickremesinghe stated that both Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 14 (1)(b) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka, which governs the rights of peaceful assembly, would be upheld by the Government.

The President said that the instructions given by the American Civil Liberties Union stated that protesters were not permitted to block government buildings and interfere with other purposes the property was designed for.
The Diplomats were also briefed on the measures being taken to ensure that non-violent protests were allowed to proceed within the city without endangering property or lives. Facilities within Colombo, such as the Open-Air theatre at Viharamahadevi Park, New Town Hall, Hyde Park and Campbell Park were all being made available for non-violent protests.

Addressing concerns regarding the GotaGoGama protest site, it was explained that it had not been removed by security forces, contrary to erroneous social media reports. Furthermore, the participants were also briefed by the Attorney General on the legal avenues being pursued, including producing all those arrested by the police before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

The Diplomats were also briefed on the measures being taken to ensure that non-violent protests were allowed to proceed within the city without endangering property or lives

Comments - 16

Lak Monday, 25 July 2022 09:57 AM

You DONT bother. We will decide.

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Kikazaru Monday, 25 July 2022 10:08 AM

Protests are not carried out in backyards. Deals are carried out in backyards.

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Mizaru Monday, 25 July 2022 10:11 AM

The man is on damage control. The international community did not like the way the protests where handled by Ranil. Now we are at a risk of a delayed IMF bailout, loss of GSP and there will be no aid from the developed world.

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Mike Revere Monday, 25 July 2022 10:16 AM

Open-Air theatre at Viharamahadevi Park available for peaceful protests: Prez. Is Prez going to meet them in the park. Galle Face was given by Gota near his office so he could solve issues and worked well at the beginning. MR and Ranil attacked them by drunk goons similar way

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Ranjith Perera Monday, 25 July 2022 10:17 AM

It is the state forces that unleashed terror on unarmed civilians two days ago at Gall face green. What we witness at Gall face demand for changes at very fundamental level of political and constitutional order of this land.Anything less than this is maintaining of status qua of corrupt political order what is found in feudalistic society.

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Royal thug Monday, 25 July 2022 10:22 AM

Very soon you will end up in open air places to plead guilty. You are a disgrace for democracy.

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Anne Karunaratne Monday, 25 July 2022 10:22 AM

Make sure that they stick to the areas that are assigned and not wherever they like inconveniencing the public! They are certainly NOT setting a good example for the young school children..

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BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 25 July 2022 11:28 AM

Sure... unlike our Politicians who are so exemplary, disciplined, honest, ethical, principled, incorruptible and an immense example for our beloved school children.

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Lumbini Monday, 25 July 2022 11:19 AM

You became the President as a result of ARAGALAYA. Do not forget that.

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Bad start. Monday, 25 July 2022 11:21 AM

You came to power to rescue this country from this severe economic situation for which you need the support of international countries. But your first act was a personal revenge for your house was burnt. This brutal attack on the peaceful protesters has been condemned by all the countries and UNHRC . End result is that other countries will think twice to help us.

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johan Monday, 25 July 2022 11:22 AM

Yes you can reserve those for the UNP protestors after next general election

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Citizen Monday, 25 July 2022 11:26 AM

He is trying to keep the protesters like in a zoo. like a joke a protests is a protest against te govt isnt it?

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Waco Monday, 25 July 2022 11:31 AM

Why the protesters can not continue to stay at Gota-Go-Gama?.

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Lion Monday, 25 July 2022 11:33 AM

Allow the same place for aragalaya which led the ouster of gotha and also paving the way for your ouster too.

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Thiruvengadam Ramakrishnan Monday, 25 July 2022 08:16 PM

No Government can function in the midst of non-stop protests. Nor can it make difficult/unpopular decisions and implement them successfully. But, in SL, the President and Parliament seems to have lost the peoples' trust. Only democratic solution under these circumstances is a "General Election! SL's democracy and existence are at stake.

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Geetha Wimalasena Tuesday, 02 August 2022 12:46 PM

An effing walk in the park you one-seat prez. What 's good for a spineless white elephant is not good for peaceful protesters.

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