A peaceful protest against state suppression is to be held in Colombo today (2).
Trade Unions, and Students Movements, supported by political parties will march from Maradana to Fort, where a rally will take place.
Participants will march from Elphinstone Theatre to central Colombo. Potential stops or endpoints include De Soysa/Liberty Circus intersections, Galle Face Green, and Fort Railway Station.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka reiterates that the Police must NOT use the provisions of the Police Ordinance to violate the fundamental rights declared and recognized by the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
The HRCSL made this statement in response to a letter submitted to the Commission by trade unions and mass organizations, informing that the Police had illegally notified them to obtain permission for the peaceful protest set to be held on Wednesday (2).
The HRCSL highlights that peaceful protests are permitted according to Section 77 of the Police Ordinance.
It warned the Police that the Constitution of Sri Lanka is the supreme law of the country, adding that violating fundamental rights would result in serious consequences.
The HRCSL also reminds the Police to pay attention to the recommendations made by the Commission to the Public Security Minister on the 28th of September.
According to the statement, a team attached to the Human Rights Commission will also be deployed to monitor the peaceful protest march.
Six major business chambers in Sri Lanka have called for the halting of anti-government protests that they say could undermine efforts taken to stabilize the economy.
In a joint statement, the chambers added that negative publicity could seriously derail actions that are being taken to revive the economy, particularly the efforts taken to revive tourism.
‘Any act of destabilization taking place at this time and any negative publicity arising from it would seriously derail actions that are being taken to revive the economy including the efforts being taken to promote tourism’ the statement read.
Pointing out that a few airlines have agreed to commence flights to Sri Lanka and given the high cost of energy in Europe during the winter, Sri Lanka will have an ideal opportunity to attract tourists which will support the Hospitality industry, the Chambers say that any instability can affect the recovery process for exports and foreign investment too.
‘We appeal to all parties to divert their energies and resources towards encouraging positive reforms and focus on how we recover as a nation instead of engaging in acts that can further damage the economy and place more burdens on the people of this country the statement mentioned.
This statement has been issued by the following Chambers:
Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC)
Chamber of Young Lanka Entrepreneurs (COYLE)
Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL)
International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL)
National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE)
Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC)