Court refuses police motion against UNP demonstration

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 June 2008, 19:55 GMT]
The Colombo Chief Magistrate Tuesday rejected a motion filed by Welikada Police seeking the court to issue restraining order on the main United National Party (UNP) from holding demonstration against the increase of fuel price in the Colombo and other areas in the district. The court gave the reason for the rejection that the motion was against the Freedom of Expression enshrined in the Constitution under Section 14, legal sources said.

The Welikada Police filed the motion quoting Section 106 of the Criminal Procedure Code that the proposed demonstration would hinder the law and order situation.

Meanwhile Ranil Wickremasinghe, opposition leader and the President of the UNP led the protest demonstration Tuesday noon at Lipton Square in Colombo against the fuel price increase. Motor cars and other vehicles participated in the demonstration tooted horns and flashed head lights.