LfD Condemns Police Action To Prevent Weliweriya Demonstration

October 17, 2013 |

‘Lawyers for Democracy’ unreservedly condemns the action taken by the Police to prevent the demonstration organized by the residents of Ratupaswala as a blatant violation of the fundamental right of the expression enshrined in the constitution.  The residence were protesting against the pollution of drinking water in the area due to a discharge of waste matter from a factory and which fact has been scientifically verified.  This demonstration in fact was to demand the fundamental right to life itself.

Inspector General of Police

Issuing a statement Lal Wijenayake, the Convener of the Lawyers for Democracy says; “The attempt to justify the ban on this demonstration by citing the earlier incident where demonstrators were attached by the Army makes the situation more serious as it is an attempt to justify the unruly behavior of the Army in violation of the fundamental right of the people to demonstrate and express their views on a matter that affects their right to life.

Lawyers for Democracy views this as another attempt in the ongoing process to deprive the citizens of the enjoyment of the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution in order to move towards an authoritarian regime.We call upon all those who stand for the protection of fundamental rights, rule of law and democracy to rise against these moves.”