The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court rejected a request made by police seeking a court order prohibiting the Joint Opposition from staging any protests on the roads in the vicinity of the President’s official residence.

The Joint Opposition has organized a protest against the government in Colombo tomorrow (5) titled ‘Jana Balaya Colombata’.

Cinnamon Garden Police making a request to the court stated that a group of JO supporters were preparing to protest along the roads near the President’s official residence lighting oil lamps and protest in a manner that would prevent the President from exiting the house.

Police therefore requested the Chief Magistrate’s Court to issue an order barring their supporters from protesting on the roads near the President’s official residence.

However, the Chief Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake pointed out that if any individuals are preparing to surround the residence of the President, it is an anti-government activity.

He questioned as to why the police are not arresting such individuals and stated that making requests before the court instead gives rise to serious suspicions.

The Chief Magistrate also pointed out that the police have not made sufficient submission to prove these accusations.

He also stated that there is no legal basis to the request made by police and therefore rejected it.

Eleven persons including Joint Opposition MPs Namal Rajapaksa, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Dilum Amunugama had been named as respondents in the request.