In the court order banning the demonstration named “Pottuvil to Poligandy” or “P2P” in Kaluvanchikudy police area the magistrate says that he is satisfied with the request of the police officer which says that , “there are reasons to ban the demonstrations, which are to be held in the previously said areas in support of the accusations against the government regarding the human rights violations at the Geneva session during the period of 3rd month 21”
“The protest aimed to draw attention to the rights of the Tamil speaking people that were denied by the Government. Although the protest cited issues mainly relevant to Sri Lankan Tamils, there were two relating to up Country Tamils and Muslims. One endorsed the demand for a 1,000 rupee daily wage for plantation workers. The other condemned the forcible cremation of those adhering to the Islamic faith and urged the Government to allow burial of Muslims.
“In a pre-emptive bid to stifle the protest, the Sri Lankan Police sought and obtained court orders prohibiting specified individuals from participating in the “Pottuvil to Poligandy” protest. Officers from different Police stations obtained court orders applicable to their areas of jurisdiction from the Batticaloa, Kaluwanchikudy, Vellaveli, Kalmunai, Thirukkovil and Akkaraipattu courts. A total of 32 persons consisting of sitting MP’s, ex-MP’s, local authority members and political activists were debarred from engaging in the protest in specific areas.” *
Despite the court bans P2P demostration went ahead and still continuing towards Poligandy.
The translation of the court order folllows:
[Translation from Tamil into English]
Judge
Magistrate Court
Kaluvaanchikkudy
01.02.2021
Rasamanickam Rajaputhiran Shanakkiyan
Namil National Alliance
Parliament Member
Kaluvanchikudy
Prohibition/ban order of Kaluvanchikudy Magistrate Court order, case number AR/31/2021 on demonstration to be held in regard to the world human rights session in Geneva
OIC of Kaluvanchikudy, Upul Gunawardane, has made a report on 2021.02.01 to the honourable Court under AR/31/2021 as follows:
According to the information received by the intelligence unit of senior superintendent of the police, Batticaloa district, TNA and some important members of the alliance plan a demonstration from 03.02.2021 until 06.02.2021 with the intention of encouraging the people to participate at the demonstration in support of the world human rights session in Geneva to be held during the 3rd month of 2021, in which the government is being accused of human rights violations. As we received the above information, I myself and the officers of the intelligence unit of our station have made a preliminary enquiry and on the basis of this and other information, TNA, civil society organizations and some other organizations are going to demonstrate and issue pamphlets in the police area of Kaluvancikudy with the intention of encouraging the people to demonstrate against the government in regard to the world human rights session in Geneva. As it is a highly infectious period of the Corona pandemic, the Officer-In-Charge of Kaluvanchikudy Police made an application to issue a banning order against the aforesaid organizations.
According to the Police report submitted to this court, within the areas of Kaluvanchikudy police, there are reasons to ban the demonstrations, which are to be held in the previously said areas in support of the accusations against the government regarding the human rights violations at the Geneva session during the period of 3rd month 2021. As a result of increasing numbers during the Corona pandemic and the people encouraging acts against the government, which lead to the division of people in terms of race and religion, this court is satisfied with the request of the police officer. Therefore, I issue this order of prohibition as per criminal panel code paragraph 106 (1) of 1979 as requested by the Officer-In-Charge of Kaluvanchikkudy Police, Upul Gunawardane.
Sgd.
Judge
Magistrate Court
Kaluvaanchikkudy
The orginal order in Tamil language follows:
