President revokes Gazette on HSZs

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has revoked the Gazette notification declaring specified areas in Colombo and Greater Colombo as High Security Zones under the Official Secrets Act amidst questions over the legality of the decision.

The new Gazette notification by the Defence Ministry was issued hours after President Wickremesinghe returned to the country from his visit to Japan and the Philippines.

A senior government official told the Sunday Times the decision was taken as there was a "legal issue" over the original Gazette notification issued on September 23 following an order by the President on

September 16 prior to his departure for Britain to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Eight locations which included the Parliament Complex area, the Appellate Court complex, the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Defence and the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police headquarters were declared as HSZs.

The declaration was made under the Official Secrets Act of 1955.

However, the senior official pointed out that during subsequent consultations it was revealed that the Emergency Regulations would have to be in place for declaration of the HSZs. The legality of the declaration of HSZs under the Official Secrets Act was also a matter of concern.

The decision drew in a host of protests and at least two Fundamental Rights petitions have been filed over the issue . One of them was filed by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Sarath Fonseka and Attorney- at- law Sudath Wickramaratne while the other petition has been filed by SJB MPs Harshana Rajakaruna and Mujibur Rahaman.

The regulations contained strict restrictions on those entering the HSZs and could also have an impact on the residents living within these zones.