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Election Committee concerned over police conduct

09 Sep 2021

  • Writes to IGP defending FSP’s political rights
By Pamodi Waravita The Election Commission (EC) has raised concerns regarding the alleged undemocratic means employed by the Police against the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) when its members and activists exercised their democratic right to political action. According to the FSP, in a letter to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana D. Wickramaratne on 3 September, the Election Commission has highlighted the concerns expressed by the FSP to the Commission last month, and has stressed that under the Constitution, any political party has the right to communicate their ideas to the public and to criticise the Government. “If an individual has broken the law, then the Police is responsible to ensure that the said individual acts within the provisions of the law. However, the conduct of the Police must also occur within the law. The Police or government officials don’t have the right to misuse the law, to coerce or threaten anyone, or to make arrests outside of the law,” the FSP quoted the Election Commission as having told the IGP. Accordingly, the Election Commission has also urged the IGP to investigate the allegations raised by the FSP, and to take action against any officers who may have acted outside the law. The FSP is continuously raising concerns over the alleged irregular and targeted arrests of education sector activists of the FSP, who had participated in a range of protests held in July and August this year. According to the FSP, the arrested activists are also being denied their basic right to legal consultation, as lawyers are not allowed to meet them due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic situation. Notably, FSP Administrative Secretary Chameera Koswatte and activist Koshila Hansamali Perera were arrested last month, and Koswatte has since contracted Covid-19 whilst detained in prison.


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