HRC to deploy officers at today’s protest march

The Human Rights Commission said it will be posting officers attached to the Commission to observe today’s protest march in which a large number of political parties, trade unions activists and university students will take part in. 

A statement issued by the Commission stated that a complaint has been lodged over police requesting permission to hold a peaceful march. 

The Commission requested police to refrain from using clauses in the Police Ordinance to hamper basic rights already secured by the country’s constitution. The human rights body urged police to ensure peoples rights are not violated.

Political parties including the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Tamil National Alliance (TNA), 43 Brigade, Frontline Socialist Party, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Anura Priyadarshana, Chandima Weerakkody and group will attend today’s march along with unions such as the Ceylon Teachers Union led by Joseph Stalin, Bank of Ceylon employees Union, Young Lawyers and Young Journalists Associations, Ceylon Estate Staffs Union and over 150 associations and independent unions.

The crowd will gather near Elphinston theatre, Maradana at 2.00 pm today. Among the demands are to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the release of Inter-University Students Federation Convenor Wasantha Mudalige and other student leaders.