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HRCSL barred from Mullaitivu centre: FSP

15 Jul 2021

  • All protest quarantinees test negative 
  • IUSF files habeas corpus writ
BY Pamodi Waravita The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) yesterday (14) alleged that officers from the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) have been denied entry to the Mullaitivu quarantine centre, where a number of protestors are being held in quarantine against their will since last week. At a press conference held yesterday, FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda claimed that HRCSL officers who had gone to investigate the centre had been denied entry, which is a violation of the HRCSL Act, No. 21 of 1996 that states that officers of the HRCSL are allowed entry to any Government institution. Attempts to contact the HRCSL Chairman Dr. Jagath Balasuriya, the HRCSL and the Head of the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of the Covid-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Task Force and Army Commander, General Shavendra Silva regarding the matter proved futile. Over 31 arrests of activists, trade unionists and students were made last week at the protests condemning the General Sir John Kotelawala National Defence University (KNDU) Bill. Although bail was later granted to these arrestees, approximately 16 of them, including the Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) Secretary Joseph Stalin, were then forcibly sent to quarantine centres for 14 days. “During a protest demanding that the State Engineering Corporation (SEC) pay the workers salaries on time, eight activists were arrested. A total of six of them, including our Propaganda Secretary Duminda Nagamuwa, were forcibly sent to a quarantine centre in Pallekele although they were granted bail by the relevant Court. At the protests against the KNDU Bill last week, 32 were arrested, of whom 16 were sent to quarantine even after being granted bail. They have all now tested negative for Covid-19. Then, why are they still in quarantine?” Jayagoda questioned. Jayagoda further said that a letter from the Health Services Director General (DGHS) is not sufficient to send people to quarantine, as the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance states that a circular or gazette must be released about quarantine regulations. “The last circular released by the DGHS says that only the first and second contacts of Covid-19 positive patients, travellers from overseas, and those who have clear symptoms of Covid-19 are the ones who should be sent to a quarantine centre. The protestors do not fulfill any of these criteria, so why were they sent to quarantine?” queried Jayagoda further. A protest had been held yesterday as well, headed by Nagamuwa, at the Pallekele quarantine centre. The Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) has meanwhile filed a habeas corpus writ petition yesterday regarding those held at the Mullaitivu quarantine centre. The arrests and the subsequent forced quarantining has received widespread condemnation from many parties, including the country’s main Parliamentary Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB), the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), the Lawyers for Social Justice organisation, and the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Hanaa Singer-Hamdy. Another protest was held this week by the IUSF and the Student Movement for Free Education at the Lipton Roundabout, demanding the protection of the right to protest, condemning the forced quarantine measures imposed by the State, and against the KDNU Bill, due to its threats to free education and the potential militarisation of education. The CTU has also submitted a written complaint to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet about the suppression of peaceful protests that occurred in the country last week and the forced quarantine measures taken by the Police against activists.


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