Many trade union activists claimed that the crackdown on dissent under the current administration has seen an increase and that anti-Covid-19 laws are being used to pressure, assault, threaten, and carry out arbitrary arrests of these trade union and civil society activists. Even in the last incident, the Police must have definitely consulted the public health inspectors (PHIs) and relevant medical officers of health (MOHs).”While stating that the people have a right to protest, Maj. Gen. Alwis said that if people are violating health regulations, the Police have to take action according to the recent health guidelines. “If there was a letter issued by the health authorities, the Police have to produce it before courts. It was also mentioned that the rights under Article 14(1) may be restricted by law in the interests of public health. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, senior lawyer Upul Kumarapperuma also raised concerns and said that quarantine regulations could not be used to crack down on dissent.

Source: The Nation July 17, 2021 22:41 UTC