Five persons who were arrested while engaged in a protest on Sunday evening (9) to commemorate the people who died and were injured while being involved in the Galle Face ‘Aragalaya’ were yesterday ordered to be released on bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage.
They were released on a surety of Rs.500,000 each. The Police informed the Magistrate that the suspects had engaged in a protest that was organised in an illegal manner.
The Police further said they had organised the protest without prior permission, causing damage to the property maintained by the Urban Development Authority and Ports Authority. The Police also noted that the Galle Face Green land is owned by the Urban Development Authority and the Port City.
A group of lawyers appearing on behalf of the suspects informed the Magistrate that the protesters had been arrested while they were engaging in a peaceful protest to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives during the ‘Aragalaya’.
“The Police had attacked them during the peaceful demonstration. Children were also injured and hospitalized. The right to protest peacefully has been violated by the Police”, the President’s Counsels stated.
A group of lawyers including the President’s Counsels Saliya Pieris and Sarath Jayamanne appeared for the protesters.
by dailynews sri lanka
, Security, ,