Chinese Defense Minister Wei Feng arrived in Sri Lanka on a two-day official visit on the night of April 27.
The police had taken steps to restrict the movement of vehicles on his way to Colombo from the airport. A video was circulated on social media of a person protesting against the long closure of a road in the Borella area, allowing the Chinese Defense Minister to enter the convoy, restricting traffic.
The video showed the man saying that the road would be closed for a long time to the elite and that he had voted for it, and that all those who were in traffic at the time would be told to honk their horns and all motorists would honk their horns.
The youth was arrested by the police for obstructing the duties of police officers and obstructing a convoy of elite security vehicles.
The suspect was a 32 year old resident of Pelawatta, Battaramulla. He has been in the country for a long time.
The youth was produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday (30) and ordered to be released on bail. Accordingly, the suspect has been released on Rs. 50,000 bail. The case was adjourned until May 12.
He came out of court after being released on bail and told the media that he would apologize for his wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, the UNP issued a statement calling for the arrest of the youth, calling for freedom of speech and expression.
The statement also said that the UNP condemned the arrest of citizens who had encouraged people to blow car horns and expressed deep concern over the arrest of this person.
Although it is known that the security arrangements for the transportation of foreign dignitaries could not be disrupted, there was no threat to the dignitary or other citizens and the police should confirm on what charges this person has been arrested and whether the dignitary has been threatened by these acts or not. The National Party insists.
The announcement also recalled that in May 2019, the current Prime Minister had stated that “the public’s displeasure with the closure of roads for elite vehicles and the continuous trumpeting of actions is a response to government policy.”
The arrests show the government’s insecurity and inability to tolerate any form of public outcry.
The Media Association has also issued a statement regarding this incident. Pointing out that the denial of the right to peaceful protest is a denial of the right to speech and expression.
The announcement was made by the Federation of Media Workers’ Trade Unions, Free Media Movement, Sri Lanka Professional Journalists’ Association, Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum, Tamil Media Forum and the Young Journalists’ Association.
The statement said that he had the right to protest against any action and that it had been recognized in a number of cases by the Supreme Court. The media organizations have also reminded that the case of Suprakata Amaratunga v. Sirimal and others is the best example of this.
The media has reminded the relevant authorities that the ruling recognizes that protesting by blowing the horn is part of the right to speech and expression.
Following the incident, a photo of the incumbent Prime Minister blowing trumpets in 19 districts simultaneously in 1993 and his statement on trumpeting in May 2019 were also circulating rapidly on social media after the incident.