FR petition filed against Gazette on HSZs | Daily News

FR petition filed against Gazette on HSZs

A Fundamental Rights (FR) petition was filed in the Supreme Court yesterday seeking an annulment of the Gazette Notification issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe naming several High Security Zones (HSZs).

The petition says that the President has issued this Gazette Notification by exceeding his authority under the State Secrets Act, thereby violating the Fundamental Rights of the people.

The petitions were filed by Socialist Youth Association organizer Mahesh Tharanga Indunil.The petition has cited the Attorney General, Defence Secretary (Rtd.) Major General Kamal Gunaratne, Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Deshbandu Tennakoon and 10 others as respondents.

The petition says that President Ranil Wickremesinghe issued a Gazette Notification on September 23 naming several areas of Colombo and its suburbs as High Security Zones.Under the State Secrets Act, the Gazette notification No.228/53 includes regulations related to High Security Zones and activities in those zones.

The petitioner points out that the President does not have the authority to issue a notification to enact such regulations under the relevant Act.

Therefore, the petitioner says that the Fundamental Rights of the people including the Fundamental Right guaranteed by the provision of the Constitution 12(1) by issuing this Gazette announcement by exceeding the power of the President are being violated.Therefore, the petition seeks an Interim Order suspending the operation of the Gazette Notification be made.


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