Political speeches banned at prison riot victim’s funeral
The Jaffna Police had sought a court order from the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court to prevent Dilrukshan’s family from holding a funeral ceremony or procession, in order to avoid a large crowd from gathering
The Jaffna Police had tried to force family members of Vavuniya prison riot victim Mariadas Navis Dilrukshan to conclude his funeral by yesterday evening, the Activists for Human Rights (AFHR) organization yesterday said.
Dilrukshan, from Tathaypoor in Jaffna, was one of the 30 prisoners hospitalised after a riot broke out in the Vavuniya prison. He died on August 8 at the Ragama Hospital.
The Jaffna Police had sought a court order from the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court to prevent Dilrukshan’s family from holding a funeral ceremony or procession, in order to avoid a large crowd from gathering, AFHR Executive Committee member Udul Premarathne said.
“However, the Jaffna Magistrate revised the initial court order yesterday afternoon after intervention by lawyers, and advised the family to hold the funeral according to their wishes,” Mr. Premarathne, who is al- so a lawyer, said.
Meanwhile, Police Media Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana confirmed that the Jaffna Police had obtained a court order. He said the order was obtained to prevent the funeral from being made into a political event. “The funeral will be held today but political rallies or speeches have been prohibited from the funeral,” he said.