Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka files petition against High Security Zone gazette  

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and a senior lawyer today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order suspending the operation of the gazette notification issued by the President, declaring High Security Zones in Colombo city.  

SJB Parliamentarian Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and Attorney-at-law Sudath Wickramaratne filed this petition naming the Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd), IGP Chandana Wickremaratne, President of Bar Association of Sri Lanka Saliya Pieris PC and Attorney General as respondents.

The petitioners state that the right to peaceful protest and assembly is a basic right which is of paramount importance which is protected by fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution and under several international conventions upon which Sri Lanka has been granted GSP+, favorable tariff by the European Union amongst other such benefits.

"Violation of these conventions would give rise to Sri Lanka to be pegged and earmarked as country in violation of international conventions, and treaties as by not only the European Union but also United Nations and United States of America which has already moved a resolution against Sri Lanka," the petitioners said.

The petitioners further said gazette notification issued declaring High Security Zone violates article 19, 21 and 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which would also have far reaching consequences in international forums.

The petitioners are further seeking a declaration that the High Security Zone Order is invalid and violating their fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 12(1), 14(1)(a) and 14(1)(b) of the constitution.

This petition had been filed through Attorney-at-law Sampath Wijewardena. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)