The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) has lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), stating that their human rights were violated by the protesters, who attacked and set their buses on fire and blocked the roads, LPBOA President Gemunu Wijeratne said.
The LPBOA’s complaint was after the HRCSL’s letter to the Public Security Minister, reminding that the fundamental freedoms of speech and expression, and peaceful assembly of civilian protesters are enshrined in the Constitution. The HRCSL, in its letter, recommended the Minister to “direct the Inspector General of Police (IGP) that regulations made in terms of the Police Ordinance would not be permissible if it reasonably impacts the exercise of fundamental rights and freedom enshrined in the Constitution”.
“The HRCSL speaks for the rights of the protestors, but who will speak for our human rights? Thirty eight buses were completely destroyed on May 9, and those were similar to acts of terrorism, but there have been no inquiry yet. About another 20 buses suffered heavy damages, but their owners are reluctant to complain. We complained to the European Union and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and the copies were sent to the HRCSL,” he commented.
Wijeratne said that his Association also complained to the IGP over the incidents of blocking roads by the protestors. “They frequently block passenger transport routes, inconveniencing us as well as passengers. This is a breach of our human rights. Waiting in traffic and finding alternative roads consume more fuel and time. This is a considerable problem as the fuel issuance is limited now. They have all the right to protest, but they should not disturb the public transport modes,” he added.
by Daily News Sri Lanka
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