Colombo Magistrate refuses to ban SJB Hyde Park protest

By T. Farook Thajudeen

Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddika Sri Ragala yesterday refused to ban the protest that is to be held by Samagi Jana Balawegaya today at Hyde Park.

Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala issued this order on considering the submissions made by Senior Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dileepa Pieris and perusing the documents filed by the Attorney General in Court. The Magistrate observed that even though the DSG had stated that protest would violate the directions made by the Health Service Director General  Asela Herath in respect of the COVID-19 pandemic no such direction had  been revealed by the documents filed in court.

The Magistrate also said that the Attorney General had filed this application in the wrong court. He said that it should be filed at the Fort Magistrate Court who has the jurisdiction to hear the application.
However, the Magistrate said that since Fort Magistrate Court is a part of the Chief Magistrate Court he will inquire the application.

The Magistrate further said it is a right of the public to protest, to which the court cannot interfere.
However, he directed the police to arrest violators of the COVID-19 directions of the Director of Health and dismissed the application of the Attorney 
General.