Both the HRCSL and the BASL condemn the declaration of HSZs in Colombo

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) are deeply concerned about the government’s approach to adopting the Official Secrets Act and declaring high-security zones, which grossly violates the fundamental rights of the people of the country.

The HRC calls on the government to withdraw this Gazette & ensure that national laws are followed.

And the BASL states that it will take necessary legal action to ensure the fundamental rights of the people are secured.

The Chairperson of HRCSL issuing a statement yesterday, 26th September, said that it was a fallacy without any justification that the HSZs are declared under the Official Secrets Act.

“The notion that the High-Security Zones be declared under the Official Secret Act is a fallacy without any justification or basis. The Human Rights Commission is deeply concerned about the Government’s approach to adopting the Official Secret Act and making a declaration, which grossly violates the fundamental rights of the people of this country.

The HRCSL further advises the Government to direct the withdrawal of the gazette bearing No.2298/53 dated 23rd September and to take measures to ensure that national laws are following the accepted international and national human rights norms and standards and to preclude declarations that violate those norms and standards.”

The statement of the BASL finally said that “We continue to remind the authorities including the President of the wisdom found in the judgment of the Supreme Court in the “Jana Ghosha” case of Amaratunge v Sirimal and others (1993) 1 SLR 264 which states as follows:
“Stifling the peaceful expression of legitimate dissent today can only result, inexorably, in the catastrophic explosion of violence some other day.” mentioned in the statement of BASL.