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Sumanthiran seeks HRC to advise govt. to legalise curfew

4 May 2020 02:21 pm - 13     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President’s Counsel, former TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran has sought the intervention of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to advise the government on the need to rectify and regularise curfew imposed without any further delay.

He had urged the intervention of HRC in a public interest memorandum to the Chairperson and members of the HRC.

He states an island-wide “curfew” was declared from 6 p.m. on  March 20, 2020 and announced to the country by the President’s Media Division (PMD), which has virtually been in force up to now with variations in certain districts and “curfew” being “lifted” and “re-imposed” at different times in different places.

He opines that restricting movement is desirable and necessary at this time in the country in order to meet the challenge presented by COVID-19.

“There is no opposing, that such restrictions, including curfew, must be imposed legally under applicable provisions of law,” he states.

He maintains but it has not been done under any extant legal provision and such action therefore poses a grave threat to the Rule of Law and indeed to the well-being of the people of this country. (S.S.Selvanayagam)


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  Comments - 13

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  • Kumar, Lawyer Monday, 04 May 2020 05:21 PM

    Imposing curfew in any country is within the prerogative of the government. It does not make any sense to bring in the courts for its own sake as long as there is no extreme hardship among the civilians nor there are occasions of the Police/Military using violence or harassment against the civilians during the lockdown.

    Gayan Monday, 04 May 2020 05:33 PM

    This man want the virus to spread more so he can gain political mileage from it.

    Max Monday, 04 May 2020 07:13 PM

    Whats happened to this person ?

    Lanka Monday, 04 May 2020 07:28 PM

    P C, former TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran was one of the main architects of the 19 Amendment which embroiled the country and it's constitution into untold predicaments. Sri Lankans do not need his bloody opinions. Break the curfew and see what happens to you without instigating others to test your damn opinions.

    Buffalo milk Monday, 04 May 2020 11:47 PM

    Hey Lanka, max,Gayan and Kumar are you aware of the law applicable to curfew ? In the UK Parliament had to pass the sanctions for the lock down. Not even curfew. It has to be réported to parliament every three weeks giving reasons for further extensions. Do you know ABC of law? Just because Mr Sumanthiran PC is a luminary in law just don't hide and write rubbish. You people don't even come to the dust of his feet. Just keep shut shut.

    CITIZEN Tuesday, 05 May 2020 12:20 AM

    UNLESS YOU GET A COURT ORDER, THE GOVT WILL NOT LISTEN TO ANYONE

    P.Sivapalan Tuesday, 05 May 2020 01:00 AM

    A law maker record telephone conversations

    cyril john Tuesday, 05 May 2020 01:10 AM

    This guy is paid by the Tamils in Canada USA France. Etc. So he as lots of time to write and say something if not he won't get paid that's the truth. Let the barking dog bark.

    Palmyrah Thamby Tuesday, 05 May 2020 10:31 AM

    Hey Cyril John, how dare you insult the Tamils in Canada ,USA and France? Show proof . Are you paying money to the SL politicians from abroad ? We welcome you to Canada to investigate your accusation. MR S is a PC. Recently Ranjan Ramanayake's case was taken up by him and RR got released. Mr S is not a pauper like you.

    kumar Tuesday, 05 May 2020 11:29 AM

    Former MP Sumanthiran merely wants to legalize the curfew not to completely remove. But these racists just uttering nonsense just because he is from minority.

    Sando Tuesday, 05 May 2020 12:27 PM

    Supported Separatism and caused havoc. The 19A was intended to let Country Sink. Curfew is a legal question...with no emergency in place. Lock down with limited travel for essentials was the solution.

    Lanka Tuesday, 05 May 2020 04:55 PM

    Palmyrah Thambi you must be an idiot, 90% of Tamils in Canada, USA r France are asylum seekers o economic migrants! Take your mate Sumathiran no loss to Sri lanka, Barking dog cant make the hill come down.

    Ganesh Tuesday, 05 May 2020 07:22 PM

    What do you mean by supported seperatisim caused havoc ? Since there are people who are eligible to either advocate or suggest something in the country , for the betterment of the citizens ,people like half- baked will start barking against


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