campaign on fisheries issues in Sri Lanka. Up date letter from Mr Herman

Dear Friend,

I am sending some updates which are already disturbed the whole campaign we the CSOs, organize on fisheries issues in Sri Lanka.

12th Feb- Police attempted but failed to get court order banning the protest at Chilaw. the main place where the campaign launch. The main claim of the police is assuming public harrasments and potential violence during the campaign.

13th Feb- Police attempted second time to get the ban order from the court and Majistrate rejected the request mentioning there is a provision in the constitution for Right to Freedom of expression and police can use minimum power to prevent such incidents.

14th Feb.-

Eastern Province- Pothuwil team in the was taken to Pothuwil police and warn about the possible violence situation and arrests if there is any incident happen.

Northern Province-
In Mannar the bus owners were threatened at Mullikulam. 

Unknown people came to meet the organizers and intimidation happened.

In Jaffna, almost all the camps were visited by the military officials and had informed not to attend the protest at Jaffna.

North /Western

The poster campaign conducted along Negombo, Chilaw road and Chilaw town was disturbed by the police during the 14th night Threatening arrests with the grounds of environmental pollution.

Southern Province

-Politicians in Balapitiya, Ahungalla and Hikkaduwa areas have visited the people's houses and threatened them not to attend the protest at Galle.

15th Feb. [Today Morning]

Northern Province

Mannar people were blocked their participation through the threatening to the bus arranged to travel to Mannar to Colombo.

Mannar people arranged 2  buses [NP-GK 7181 and NP-NB 7122] and  while traveling to Jaffna and their bus was blocked their travel at Vadththaltivu by military.

My colleague Antony Jesudasan was received series death threats from unknown person through the telephone number 0726998507.

Southern Province

Galle campaign was blocked through the threats but people are courageous to attend but with reduced the number substantially.

Eastern Province

The protest began at Pothuwil now and the police is rounding up the crowd more than 500 people at the event. So far so good and expect peaceful demonstration at the place.

North Western and Western Provinces

Road blockades were arranged by police. Expect thousands of people attend to the main point of commemoration of Antony Fernando.

I am attaching the Head Lines of police futile attempt to get the ban order against the commemoration. The picture in the top of the news paper says the Police's attempt to ban the protest at Chilaw/

At the same time, I am sending some pictures which Raajan and Gayan sent from Pothuwil which is successfully being in progress now.

Expect more after I attend the Chilaw protest as I am getting ready to attend Chilaw protest by 1,00pm.

Hope you all are with us in this struggle.

Herman