by Cyril Wimalasurendre

Kandy Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala after considering an application by the police ordered the organisers of the Joint Opposition’s protest march from Kandy to Colombo starting today to commence the march from outside the city limits.

The magistrate also ordered the membership drive organised by the United National Party (UNP) to follow suit this afternoon.

In the wake of the court ruling, the Joint Opposition yesterday announced that the Jana Satana Pada Yatra would begin from Getambe at 9 am. A senior spokesman said that they would go ahead with the protest campaign as planned.

The Magistrate stated that both groups could perform their religious observances in the morning.

Magistrate Ragala issued the orders following an inquiry into an application by DIG. Ajith Rohana, Kandy Senior Superintendent E. Mahendra and SP Chamika Premasiri praying for an order for stopping the pada yathra and the membership drive in the Kandy town.

Police told the court that the city of Kandy was already experiencing heavy traffic congestion and owning to cricket matches held in Pallekele, the environment was not suitable for the congregation of massive crowds.

Accordingly the magistrate ordered organisers of the pada yatra to begin the campaign from outside the city limit.

The UNP membership drive should be held after 2.00 p.m. the order said.

In the case of the pada yatra police cited MPs Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Lohan Ratwatte, Keheliya Rambukwella and Dilum Amunugama as respondents.

In the case of the UNP membership drive police cited as respondents Minister Lakshman Kiriella and UNP General Secretary Kabir Hashim.

The magistrate issued instructions that the respective respondents should be made available the copies of the court order by fiscal officers yesterday itself.

Nearly two dozen lawyers appeared for the respondents of the joint opposition.

Courtesy:The Island