COLOMBO (News 1st); The Government states that the Public Emergency & the Curfew were declared to ensure that the peace, normal way of life, as well as public & property, is protected.

A statement from the Department of Government Information noted that the Sri Lankan Government is bound to protect public peace, as well as public and private property, whilst ensuring the right to speech, expression, and protest peacefully.

It added that the government had pledged to protect and promote all democratic rights including the Right to Freedom of Expression, Speech, and Protest Peacefully.

It went on to note that after the incumbent President was elected to power, water cannons, tear gas, and baton charges were not enforced on any peaceful protest or demonstration.

It added that on some occasions the representatives of protestors were allowed to enter the President’s Office for talks and solutions were provided to the issues.

The Department of Government Information said that on the 31st of March 2022, a group acted in an unruly manner during a protest and cause serious damage to public and private property, while some were also injured.

It stressed that Public Emergency and Curfew were imposed in accordance with the accepted legal provisions, and to protect the lives of the people, public peace, as well as public and private property.

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