Four writ petitions filed by Galle Face protesters withdrawn

by Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

Four writ petitions filed by Galle Face protesters before the Court of Appeal seeking an order preventing the authorities from removing the protest site at Gota Go Gama in Galle Face Green were yesterday withdrawn by themselves.  

President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris with M.A. Sumanthiran PC appearing on behalf of the petitioners informed that they are not expecting to proceed with these applications since the protesters have decided to vacate the Galle Face protest site since Wednesday (10). They sought Court’s permission to withdraw the petitions, reserving their clients legal rights.  

Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justice Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola granted permission to withdraw the petitions and decided to dismiss the petitions accordingly.  

On 4th of August, the Attorney General gave an undertaking to court that temporary structures at the protest site will not be removed contrary to the law, until August 10.  

Four Galle Face protesters Lahiru Anton Madhushan Fernando, Irosh Alponsu, Ven.Miragahawatta Kashyapa thera and Asanka Abeyratne had filed four writ petitions seeking an order preventing the authorities from taking any steps to cause the eviction of the protesters at Gota Go Gama in Galle Face Green .  
Fort Police OIC Sagara Liyanage, Inspector General of Police C.D. Wickremaratne, Urban Development Authority and Attorney General were named as the respondents of the petitioners.  

The petitioners stated that on 3rd of August at around 5:30 pm, several police officers claiming to be from the Fort Police Station arrived at Galle Face, the area which has been designated by the Government.  The petitioners stated that the protesters have been peacefully occupying the said site for a period of over a 120 days and they set up tents and other temporary structures. These structures include a library. 
 
The Petitioners stated that police have no authority by law to evict those occupying the area of the Gota Go Gama, without an order from a court of competent jurisdiction according to law.   Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena PC appeared for the Attorney General.