Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika C. Ragala yesterday (Jan. 15) rejected a request by the police to issue an order to the Samagi Jana Balawega to conduct the protest scheduled to be held at Keselwatta today (16) in accordance with the health guidelines issued by the Director General of Health Services. .
Deputy Solicitor General Dileep Peiris, appearing for the police, requested the court to file an appeal against the order and provide a certified copy of the judgment.
The police stated that the request was made in accordance with Sections 98 and 106 of the Criminal Procedure Code and that the Magistrate had stated that such a request could not be made under Section 98 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The Chief Magistrate also questioned why the police were presenting such information in a misleading manner and said that the court was embarrassed by such inaccurate information and that the court was not in a position to issue relevant orders in cases where erroneous clauses were presented.
However, the Deputy Solicitor General has stated that the complaint is being pursued in accordance with Section 106 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
It has been reported that a group including the leader of the Samagi Jana Balawega Sajith Premadasa and the secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara are preparing to hold a joint protest. The Deputy Solicitor General has informed the court that there is a risk of the epidemic spreading again due to such actions.
