Anti-SAITM protesters barred from entering state institutions

The Colombo Fort Magistrate has issued a stay order barring any university student activist from forcibly entering any public institutions during today’s anti-SAITM protest in Colombo Fort.

Convener of the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Lahiru Weerasekara, Convener of the Inter University Bhikkhus’ Federation (IUBF) Ven. Tampitiye Sugathananda Thero and Acting Convener of the Medical Students’ Action Committee Susitha Priyankara Perera have been specifically named in the stay order which has been issued to any student activist engaged in the protest. 

Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne had issued the stay order today (10) based on a request made by the police based on information received that a large number of university students are expected to participate in the protest and that it would cause inconvenience to the public.   

The protesters are expected to march towards the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo in large numbers resulting in traffic being disrupted. 

Accordingly the stay order was issued barring any of the protesters, including the three student union leaders named, from entering any public institution including the Presidential Secretariat. 

However, the magistrate stated that they can engage in a protest without causing any inconvenience to the general public.