All entrances to Colombo Courts Sealed Off

By Our Correspondant in Colombo

(February 12, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) As the case of opposition politician Sarath Fonseka is taken before the Supreme Court today all the roads to court the complex have been blocked by large contingents of police officers who checks all ID cards and who are only allowing lawyers to enter. Even the petitioners are not allowed to go to the court.

Around 1,000 policemen are blocking the roads. Several Special Task Force Units are also in place and vehicles carrying water cannons are also situation in the immediate area.

“Usually a large number of people come to this very busy court premises. Today, they are not allowed,” said one lawyer.

Two days ago angry crowds demonstrated against the arrest of Sarath Fonseka and a petition was filed. Today, when the petition is to be argued it was very likely that large crowds would come to witness the case and demonstrate their support for their candidate in the last elections who is being detained in military custody.

“It is the right of the people to watch court proceedings, particularly on issues of public interest as this case is. Today all such avenues are closed. People including lawyers have a right to protest and demonstrate. But, today, the government is afraid of all that. What is the freedom of expression left in this country?” asked a lawyer, who did not want to be named. “It is too dangerous to even a make a comment, even by lawyers like us”, he said.