Pass system restricts freedom of movement

[TamilNet, Thursday, 29 April 1999, 11:55 GMT]
The Forum for Human Dignity has brought to the attention of the Anti-Harassment Committee the problems faced by Tamils travelling between different areas of the country.

The Secretary of the Forum for Dignity, Ms Maheswary Velautham, in a letter to the Anti-Harassment Committee has highlighted the case of Nagarajah Mathanarajah of Kaithady North, Jaffna.

Currently residing in Colombo, Mr Mathanarajah, has been told by the Bambalapitya Police that he has to obtain a permit from the Vavuniya police to reside in Colombo.

"The imposition of this condition by the Bambalapitya Police is illegal. This is a violation of a citizen's fundamental rights guaranteed under the constitution.There is no law to restrict the freedom of movement of an individual. Please direct the Bambalapitiya Police to stop this type of harassment immediately"-said the Forum's letter to the Anti-Harassment Committee, appointed by the government to inquire into complaints made by Tamil people in the country.

The Secretary of the Forum for Dignity has also pointed out in her letter that the pass system, prevailing in Vavuniya and other places for citizens to enter or leave a particular area is illegal.

The Forum for Human Dignity has spotlighted the case of N.Mathanaraja arrested by the Kankesanthurai Police on 22.3.98 and remanded by the Anuradhapura Magistrate at Kalutara prison. He was later discharged from prison.

Thereafter Nagarajah Mathanarajah registered his name at the Bambalapitiya Police and started working at Katpaham, a sales centre in the same area.

He arrested by the Bambalapitiya Police again on 19.01.1999. He was held in remand for about one month and was discharged by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate after two months. He was charged for not obtaining a permit from the Vavuniya authorities to reside in Colombo.

Then again on 26.4.1999 the Bambalapitiya Police had warned him that if he did not obtain a residency permit from the Vavuniya authorities he would face arrest again.

 

Latest 15 Reports
24.04.22 05:44  
தீவின் நெருக்கடிச் சூழலில் ஈழத்தமிழர் தேசம் கடைப்பிடிக்கவேண்டிய நிலைப்பாடுகள்
09.04.22 14:44   Photo
குறிதவறும் ஈழத்தமிழர் தலைமைகளுக்கு வரலாறு தருகின்ற எச்சரிக்கை
21.01.22 07:24   Photo
ஈழத்தமிழர் தேசத்தின் தலைமைத்துவம் தேர்தல் அரசியற் கட்சிகளுக்கு அப்பாலானது
02.11.21 15:32   Photo
13 ஆம் சட்டத்திருத்தத்தால் கட்டமைக்கப்பட்ட இன அழிப்பை எதிர்கொள்ள முடியுமா?
15.09.21 08:19  
English version not available
17.05.21 19:23   Photo
Ananthi blames war criminal Silva for blocking collective memorial at Mu'l'livaaykkaal
09.04.21 14:46  
English version not available
23.03.21 12:41   Photo
No focus on Tamil genocide, geopolitics gets played out in Geneva in favour of QUAD formation
21.03.21 13:34   Photo
Navi Pillay explains ‘human rights’ limitations in Geneva on Tamil genocide
15.03.21 20:36   Photo
Deceived Tamil activists in UK falsely claimed ‘substantial changes’ to Zero draft
09.03.21 21:34   Photo
UK repeatedly wronged Tamils says hunger-striker, demands genocide justice
26.02.21 11:53   Photo
Tamils witness false dilemma in Geneva as geopolitical formations pit against each other
19.02.21 14:02   Photo
UK not prepared to push for ICC option in new UNHRC Resolution
07.02.21 23:16   Photo
Unprecedented P2P uprising paves the way for rights-oriented politics of Tamils and Muslims
22.01.21 08:01   Photo
Gotabaya sets up deceptive COI citing ‘sovereignty’ and ‘non-aligned’ foreign policy
 
Find this article at:
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=3223