15 petitions filed with CA challenging forced quarantine

COLOMBO (News 1st); 15 Habeas Corpus applications were filed with the Court of Appeal on Thursday (15) seeking an order be made for those who were taken away for quarantine illegally, be produced in the court.

The applications were filed by a group led by the Inter-University Student's Federation and they request 38 people including activists, trade union leaders, and IUSF members who are currently held illegally at the Pallekele and Mullaithivu Quarantine Facilities to be produced in the court.

The petitioners claim that activists who tested COVID-negative are detained against their will by using the provisions of the quarantine law, on political grounds while COVID-19 positive patients are placed in-home quarantine.

The Inspector-General of Police, Director General of Health Services, and the Health Minister were named as respondents among others.