MIRJE files rights case

[TamilNet, Friday, 26 November 1999, 18:58 GMT]
A fundamental rights application seeking a declaration that Sri Lanka's Emergency Regulations relating to the censorship of war-related news is contrary to the constitution was filed in the Supreme court today.

The petitioner is Suneetha Abeyasekara, President of the Movement for Inter- Racial, Justice and Equality (MIRJE).

The petition states that the rules relating to the censorship are not subject to any rational guidelines and permit the authorities to apply the relevant regulations arbitrarily and indiscriminately.

During the on going election campaign voters are entitled to seek, receive and impart information relating to the policy of the government on the ethnic conflict, the petitioner states.

The matter comes up for inquiry on December 3.

The Director of Information, Ariya Rubasinghe is cited as the respondent.