Court restrains TU members from entering Fort

The Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage yesterday issued an order preventing the

 members of several trade unions including the Government Medical Officer’s Association entering the Presidential Secretariat, President’s House, Finance Ministry and the Galle Face Green between 11.00 a.m. and 7 p.m. yesterday (Feb 22). These trade unions had organized a protest campaign against the government’s new tax policy in front of the Fort Railway Station yesterday.

The order was issued following a request made by the Colombo Fort Police.

According to the police, the protesters were ordered not to obstruct motorists and pedestrians in the Colombo Fort police division, not to damage public and private properties and not to enter the above mentioned public institutions. The Magistrate has also ordered the police to arrest those who act violating the regulations in the Police Ordinance, Thoroughfares Act and the Elections Act.

Police had named the Secretary of the GMOA Dr. Haritha Aluthge, Prof. B.M.H.S.K. Banneheka of the FUTA and six other trade union leaders as respondents for this court order.