News

News

Demos around President’s House banned
Demonstrations, rallies, motorcades and public meetings have been banned around the President’s House area which has been re-declared a High Security Zone.

The regulations come four years after the security zone provision was relaxed by the then UNF government in 2001. President Kumaratunga has promulgated regulations under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act for the purpose. Violation of the regulations could make a person liable for a jail term of a maximum of two years or a fine of Rs. 5,000 or both.

Police said the new regulations were also an expansion of the previous area covered during the 1994- 2001 period. The regulations also prevent the entry of lorries into the area which includes three five-star hotels, banks, mercantile sector offices and other business premises.

The Defence Secretary has been named as the Competent Authority to implement the regulations and he has been empowered to issue directions according to the requirements for the proper implementation of the regulations.

The security clampdown comes in the wake of a series of protest marches in which the demonstrators advanced close to President’s House. The regulations came into effect four days before the UNP’s ‘Janabala Mehayuma” reached Colombo last Tuesday. On Friday demonstrators backed by the pro-JVP unions were stopped immediately outside the HSZ close to Hilton and warned by the Police that the marchers would face severe punishment in terms of the new regulations.

Under the regulations the chief occupant of any building situated within the HSZ will have to ensure that no unauthorized person is allowed to enter the premises. Police will be empowered to demand for a list of occupants of the building.

In the event a list of occupants is submitted, the chief occupant will be held responsible to inform police of subsequent changes to the list, within 24 hours.
However, it was not immediately clear how the regulation will apply for the five-star and other hotels which would fall within the purview of the HSZ.
Police could also demand a list of all employees of private or government sector institutions which fall within the HSZ. The Central Bank, the World Trade Centre, People’s Bank Headquarters all fall within the HSZ.
Starting construction or any addition or improvement to existing buildings within the HSZ without the permission of the Competent Authority also has been prohibited.

Police are empowered to enter any building to examine whether excavation or construction is taking place. Lighting fire crackers or fireworks within the HSZ is also a violation of the regulations. A spokesman for a five-star hotel said that they would now be compelled to take permits for their vehicles carrying supplies and could face security checks.

Top

Back to News