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Vehicle, equipment used at Balapitiya DP meeting released
View(s):A case in which the Democratic Party led by former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka last week used a a mobile vehicle and loud speakers for election propaganda activities without permission in the Balapitiya area has been fixed for May 20. The vehicle and equipment was released by the Balapitiya Magistrate courts when the case was taken up on Tuesday.
The meeting organised by Balapitiya DP co-organisers Mathalee Jayasekara and P. Sagara Ruwan Kumara de Silva, was chaired by DP Leader, former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka.
As the Ahungalla Police had interrupted the meeting to be held at the originally scheduled place, claiming that the permit for the use of loudspeakers had not been obtained, the organisers reportedly decided to hold the rally near the public market on a mobile platform.
As Sarath Fonseka continued to address the rally on a megaphone, despite police objections, a volatile situation prevailed. After the meeting was over the vehicle carrying the mobile platform, along with its driver and his assistant were taken into police custody.
“Under Section 80 of the Sri Lanka Police Ordinance, the use of loudspeakers without the requisite permission is punishable,” said Police Media Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana. “The vehicle that carried the mobile platform was taken into custody because the loudspeakers were fixed onto it.”
“There was no external influence to arrest the two individuals, or the vehicle, in this incident,” he added.
Organiser Sagara Ruwan Kumara told the Sunday Times that he did not participate in the rally as there was a plan for the police to arrest him when the meeting was in progress.
“I lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on Monday (20), against the OIC of Ahungalla Police, for preventing me from expressing my views at the rally,” he said, adding that the commission promised to investigate the matter soon.
He further stated that the Democratic Party intended to report this incident to the UN and diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka, as soon as they received the B-report from the police.