The exit order!

– The Sudar Oli Editorial

(September 17, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The trend of authorities ignoring court orders, determinations, and guidelines has caused grave concern among the people.

One wonders what has happened to the Supreme Court orders regarding the setting up of check points in the city of Colombo. Any measures that are not in compliance with a Court order must be under taken only after a revision by the Court.

Similarly, at the Supreme Court that heard a fundamental rights application by the Ceylon Workers Congress, the government representatives assured that Tamils will not be forcibly evicted from Colombo.

Meanwhile, in another case, SC gave a direction that there should be no harassment caused to Tamils from the north east. Despite such determination by Courts of law, measures are implemented ignoring them. Directives are given to officials in breach of these orders.

The recent order for Tamils staying in Colombo without valid reason to leave Colombo is unfair, in a context in which a large number of Tamils have been displaced following the establishment of high security zone and the war.

Furthermore, it is a fundamental right of a citizen to live in a place of his or her choice in the country.

That the authorities should be notified of the reason for a citizen’s stay in a particular area is an order that violates one’s fundamental right.

Reason must be given not for residing in a place but for the eviction of a citizen.

International community must take cognizance of this!

(An English translation of the Editorial in Sudar Oli, a Tamil daily based in Colombo.) - Sri Lanka Guardian