We say every day that the Sri Lankan security forces as well as the police must be very tactful in this struggle because we must use the knowledge we have seen to protect all the security forces as well as the people.
According to the photographs we have received so far, permanent roadblocks have been set up on several major roads. Is it possible to do so according to the law? What is the legal aspect of such closure of public roads? Is it possible to legally block the supply of food and other supplies to people in struggle? Aren’t there any legal penalties for the security guards who did and supported the demolition of the roads?
By law, roadblocks are not allowed. There is also a procedure to be followed if a roadblock is used. During the war it was clearly exactly that functional. But today these are illegal roadblocks. Even the police usually bring estimates from the Road Development Authority and file cases for damage caused by tire burns on a major road. With whose permission did the same police demolish the main roads this morning?
The other issue is the damage to the fundamental rights of the people on the road by blocking the roads. This destroys the fundamental right of Sri Lankans to travel anywhere in Sri Lanka. Also, according to the judgment of former Supreme Court Judge Sarath Nanda Silva, such obstructions are not permitted at all, and although the police are legally permitted to make assumptions under Section 107 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, they can destroy public rights or block roads. Power is not given by law.
Also, the roadblocks used have thorny spikes on the side of the people. If a person is harmed as a result of doing so, a case should be filed against the relevant officials.
Also, isn’t this illegal act of blocking the supply channels of the people at Galle Face Green further provoking the people? Is this being done by an order issued by an officer other than the IGP? Is anyone taking action to send the IGP home with such orders?
If any disturbance occurs today due to this illegal obstruction, the responsibility for it will fall on the shoulders of the relevant police officers. It would be better if the Sri Lankan security forces did not continue to provide jokes to the international community. We also emphasize that we should not create issues that we have not played with with the youth of today.
If there is a conflict, we will provide a legal explanation with further clauses and the Sri Lanka Police or the security forces have already broken the law. The protesting people have done nothing wrong and the Sri Lankan security forces have already taken steps to provoke the peaceful masses. Therefore, we again call on the security forces to be vigilant in the future.
