JO to file action against denial of access to Public Ground in Rathnapura

Saturday, 8 October 2016 00:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Chamodi Gunawardana

The Joint Apposition plans to take legal action against the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) politician who had forced the Ratnapura Municipal Commissioner to refuse permission to hold their rally at the Seevali Ground in Ratnapura, MP Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

Speaking to the media, Wanniarachchi said she would take legal action against that particular politician over his alleged attempts to hamper preparations for the rally. She also claimed the actions of this politician have violated fundamental rights of those who support Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“On Thursday, some group had assaulted the young supporters of the Joint Opposition while they were decorating the Ratnapura town for the Rally. We will go courts to take legal action against these [injustices],” she said.

Wanniarachchi also said that Ratnapura Municipal Commissioner M. W. Kulathilaka had issued a letter preventing the Joint Opposition from using the Seevali ground to hold the rally.

The Commissioner had stated in the letter that the council had decided to not provide the ground for an event that would set up structures on the ground.

“Kulathilaka has informed us that we couldn’t use the Seevali Ground. Instead we are supposed to hold the rally in the Park for lorries which is adjacent to the Seevali Ground,” Wanniarachchi said.

Critical of the Commissioner’s decision, Wanniarachchi further said the Municipal Council did not have such reservations when President Maithripala Sirisena was using the Seevali Ground to celebrate World Environment day months ago.

“This decision indicates how much the Government fears the Joint Opposition and how they attempt to disturb our work,” she stressed.

Wanniarachchi added the rally would be led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, with the participation of leaders of the Joint Opposition.

Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, widely speculated to be the leader of the new party to be formed by members of the JO had confirmed his participation in the rally. However Former President and current Member of Parliament Mahinda Rajapaksa has so far not spoken about his participation.