The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on Friday (Jan.05) delivered an order barring the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) trade unionists from entering the premises of several state institutions.

As such, several trade union leaders including CEB United Trade Union Alliance’s convenor Ranjan Jayalal, Kasun Botheju and Malaka Wickramasinghe have been banned from entering the Presidential Secretariat, President’s House, Finance Ministry and the Galle Face Green premises.

The trade union members have been engaged in a series of protests since January 03, against the government’s Bill to restructure the state-owned electricity supplier.

The court order was issued after taking into account a request made by the Kompanna Veediya Police via a B Report, emphasizing that these demonstrations are a hindrance to the members of the public.

The CEB trade unionists have been advised to protest in a manner that does not inconvenience the public and to refrain from causing damage to public property.

The court order mentioned that Peaceful protests are not prohibited and freedom of expression will not be restricted.

This court order came close on the heels of a similar directive issued on Thursday (Jan.04) against the CEB trade unionists.