COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan government said it would allow holding of public meetings and picketing by political parties and other organisations but would not permit any sort of demonstrations.
Announcing this at the weekly post cabinet news conference cabinet spokesman and minister of state for defence Ranjan Wiljeratne said government has agreed to allow a rally of the mothers front and by major opposition parties later this month but warned that any demonstration that leads to ugly incidents would meet dire consequences.
Holding of public meetings and rallies are banned under the existing emergency regulations. Wijeratne said police has been given clear instructions to use force if necessary to break up any demonstration.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 22, 1991
