BASL urges Govt. not to extend Gazette notification

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday called upon the government not to extend the validity of the Gazette Notification 1817/31 issued in July which allows the government to deploy three armed forces to maintain public order as it is a serious impediment to the rule of law and the democratic rights of the people of the country.

The BASL was concerned on the deployment of armed forces virtually in all areas of the country through the gazette notification issued on July 3 following the Ratupaswala public protest against a glove manufacturing company.

BASL Secretary Sanjaya Gamage said the Gazette notification was a matter of serious concern.

“It appears to be under this Gazette that the armed forces were deployed in Rathupaswala (Weliweriya) recently, resulting in three deaths and injuring several others,” Mr. Gamage said. The Gazette Notification has been made under Section 12(1) of the Public Security Ordinance which provides as follows:

“Where circumstances endangering the public security in any area have arisen or are imminent and the President is of the opinion that the police are inadequate to deal with such situation in that area, he may, by Order published in the Gazette, call out all or any of the members of all or any of the armed forces for the maintenance of public order in that area. It is imperative that. this power be used (if at all) prudently, cautiously and sparingly,”.