Joint statement: Ensure the people’s rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression

At a time when the country is facing a huge economic crisis and even the right to life of the people of the country has been violated, as civil organizations, Trade Unions and civil activists, we strongly condemn the shameless and brutal attack carried out by using the police and the army at the peaceful demonstration (Satyagraha) conducted by social activists, civil society organizations and citizens protesting the government’s use of public wealth to hold the 75th Independence Day celebrations.

The attack on this Sathyagraha, which was held without any kind of disturbance or public blockade, in accordance with the orders imposed by the court regarding the holding of protests and demonstrations, especially on the days of the state independence celebration, is absolutely a terrifying reflection of the current situation of the right to freedom of assembly and protest to showcase the dissent of the citizens of Sri Lanka.

Along with these attacks, the police have even violated the basic rights of the arrested social activists by violating their right to get medical assistance or legal services.

At the same time, the government tried to disrupt the march organized by North East student organizations and the protest organized by social movements led by the Inter-University Students’ Federation.

The freedom of a country is the freedom for the people of that country to enjoy their basic rights and live as dignified citizens. In the name of celebrating freedom, the current government is taking away the same right that we have as citizens of this country.

Due to the unprecedented economic crisis, the people of the country are currently facing huge problems. The majority of the country’s population is unable to meet even their basic needs due to problems such as increasing cost of living, lack of essential goods including medicines, job losses, and tax burden. Tamil and Muslim communities, plantation workers and Malaiyaha communities, who were oppressed by the war and racist politics, are still suffering after the so-called ‘independence’ due to the deprivation of their rights.

Throughout these 75 years of independence, instead of resolving the burning issues and challenges faced by people in this country, every administration this country has seen has continuously tried to suppress the people who have raised their voices about it.

We would like to remind you that the primary cause of the huge economic, political and social crises that Sri Lanka is currently facing is the arbitrary, capricious, and repressive practices adopted by governments that ruled the country from time to time.

Therefore, we believe that the government’s current repressive practices will exacerbate these crises instead of solving them.

Peaceful assembly and protest are fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of Sri Lanka. This government is arbitrarily violating that right. Therefore, we ask the national and international human rights organizations, civil society movements and citizens to intervene decisively to protect the fundamental rights and right to life of the people.

For more information please contact – Sandun Thudugala: 0773727271 / [email protected]

Signatories;

Individuals

1. A. Jesudasan
2. Ainslie Joseph
3. Amali Wedagedara
4. Anitra Varia
5. Anthony Vinoth
6. Anushaya Collure
7. Ashila Dandeniya
8. B.Gowthaman
9. Balasingham Skanthakumar
10. Bharatha Prabhashana THENNAKOON
11. Bhavani Fonseka
12. Bishop Duleep de Chickera, Anglican Church of Sri Lanka
13. Bishop Kenneth Fernando
14. Bishop Kumara Illangasinghe
15. C. Tozer – Women’s Rights Activist
16. Chandra Devanarayana
17. Chandra Jayaratne
18. Chandrika Gadiewasam – Freelance Writer
19. Christine Perera – Health and Animal Activist
20. Chulani Kodikara
21. Deekshya Illangasinghe
22. Dharmasiri Lankapeli, General Secretary, Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions (FMETU)
23. Dharshana Kahingala
24. Dr. Lionel Bopage
25. Fr. Rohan Silva
26. Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda
27. Inthumathy Hariharathamotharan
28. J.A.Priyantha Fernando
29. Jake Oorloff
30. Joseph Stalin
31. Lahiru Weerasekara
32. Lakshman F. B. Gunasekara
33. Lasantha Ruhunage
34. Madhubhashini R. Rathnayaka, Communications Strategist & Filmmaker, Sri Lanka
35. Maithreyi Rajasingam
36. Marisa de Silva
37. Monica Alfred
38. N. Suranni Cooray
39. Nagulan Nesiah
40. Nicola Perera
41. Nilshan Fonseka
42. P. Muthulingam
43. Paba Deshapriya – bakamoono.lk
44. Pasan Jayasinghe
45. Peter Rezel, Chartered Accountant
46. Prabodha Rathnayaka AAL
47.  Prabu Deepan
48. Prema Gamage
49. Priyadarshanie Ariyaratne, Chairperson, Green Hats Foundation
50. Prof. Sitralega – Independent Feminist Researcher, Batticaloa
51. R.R. Godawatta
52. Ranjith de Silva
53. Rekha Nilukshi, Journalist
54. Rev. Dr. Jayasiri T. Peiris
55. Rev. Fr. F.J. Gnanaraj Croos
56. Rev. Fr. Jeyabalan Croos
57. Rev. Fr. Maxwell Doss
58.  Rev. Fr. Nandana Manatunga
59. Rev. Sr. Noel Christine Fernando
60. Rohini Hensman – Writer, Researcher and Activist
61. Rosanna Flamer-Caldera
62. Ruki Fernando
63. Ruwan Laknath Jayakody – Writer
64. S. Attanayake
65. S. Jeyam
66. S. Thavaseelan
67. Sampath Samarakoon – Editor, VIKALPA.ORG
68. Sandun Thudugala
69. Sandya Salgado
70. Sarah Arumugamm – Attorney-at-Law
71. Sarath Karunadasa, National Organizer, National Trade Protection Council
72. Saroj Pathirana – Journalist
73.  Selvaraja Rajasegar – Editor of www.maatram.org
74. Shreen Abul Saroor
75. Sinthuka Vivekananthan- Human and Women Rights Activist
76. Srinath Perera AAL, General Secretary, Free Trade Union Centre
77. Suheera Safeek
78. Sumathy Sivamohan
79. Sumathy Sivamohan
80. Sunanda Deshapriya
81. Tharindu Uduwaragedara – Journalist
82. Thushari Madahapola
83. U.L.M. Najeeb – Chairman, Public Welfare Society, Kalkudhah, Batticaloa District
84. Ven. Fr. Samuel J. Ponniah
85. Vincent Bulathsinghala, AAL
86. Visakha Tillekeratne – Independent Activist
87. W.F. Priyankara Costa
88. W.S. Rambukpotha
89. Yoga Rajeskanna, SLATE Union, Sri Lanka Telecom

Organizations

1. Alliance for Minorities
2. Ampara District Alliance for Land Rights (ADALR)
3. Centre for Society and Religion (CSR)
4. Ceylon Teachers’ Union
5. Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP)
6. Dabindu Collective
7. Families of the Disappeared
8. Future in Our Hands, Badulla
9. Human Elevation Organization (HEO)
10. Human Rights Citizen’s Committee, Ekala
11. Human Rights Office (HRO)
12. Institute for Social Development (ISD)
13. Law and Society Trust
14. Lawyers’ forum for the people
15. Mannar Women’s Development Federation
16. Media Law Forum (MLF)
17. Movement for Land and Agriculture Reforms (MONLAR)
18. Movement for Plantation Peoples’ Land Rights (MPPLR)
19. Movement for the Defense of Democratic Rights
20. National Fisheries Solidarity Movement
21. National Peace Council (NPC)
22. People’s Alliance for Right to Land (PARL)
23. Praja Abhilasha Network
24. Revolutionary Existent for Human Development (RED)
25. Rule of Law Forum
26. Sandeshaya by Saroj
27. Satahan Media
28. Savisthri National Women’s Movement.
29. Shramabimani Kendraya
30. Social Institute for Development of Plantation Sector (SIDPS)
31. Solidarity Movement for North and East People’s Struggles
32. Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association
33. Stand Up Movement Lanka
34. Upcountry Civil Society Collective (UCSC)
35. Viluthu
36. Women’s Resource Centre
37. Women’s Action for Social Justice
38. Women’s Action Network
39. Young Lawyers Association
40. YOUTH FOR CHEnge

08th February, 2023