Police in Jaffna have sought a ban on 5 individuals and organisations who they say plan to protest when the President visits Jaffna on 31 January.
The petition seeking the ban comes at a time when President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has publically stated he is not against protests aimed at the government.
Jaffna Magistrate Court has issued notice to five respondents, including an independent MP, Dr Ramanathan Archuna, based on a petition filed in the court on Wednesday (29) from the chief of the Jaffna Police Headquarters stating they have information that the said persons and organisation have planned to stage a protest and demonstration during the President’s visit.
The court has sought replies from Dr Archuna, Sarvananthasivam Sasikaran, President of the Unemployed Graduates’ Association Northern Province, leader of the protest group in Jaffna, and Manager of the Tilco Hotel- Ponraj Prem Douglas Prabakaran, President of the temporary health workers union S.Jesmin and the President of the Voice of the Voiceless organisation Murugiah Komagan.
All five respondents have been asked to give the court their stand by 9:30 AM on Thursday (30), either in person or through their lawyers.
The registrar of the Jaffna Magistrate Court has signed the order seeking the stand of the respondents.
The court order says the Jaffna Police chief has requested the issuance of a court order prohibiting the protests after filing a petition under section 106 (1) (2) (3) of the Criminal Code No.15 of 1979.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will visit Jaffna on 31 January to participate in the District Coordination Committee meeting at the District Secretariat.
Before coming to power, the President, as a leader of the JVP, had a long history of participating in protests against the government and had also said he would not interfere in them.
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