Police seek order against Vesak celebration

The Mount Lavinia Magistrate issued summons on the Dehiwala – Mount Lavinia Mayor and the Secretary of the Dehiwala Mercantile and Industrial Association to appear in court sequel to an application filed by the Dehiwala police against a Vesak festival named "Sesi Vesak Puravaraya – 2008."

Dehiwala police had complained that the festival could be a threat to public security and could block the highway and cause traffic jams, and asked that an order be issued preventing the ceremony. Police had filed an application in court to issue an injunction preventing the Secretary of the Dehiwala Mercantile and Industrial Association and the Mayor of Dehiwela – Mount Lavinia from holding the festival.

Chief Magistrate Harsha Sethunga ordered the police to hand over the summons personally.

The police had asked court to act on the relevant section of the Criminal Procedure Code to prevent a threat to public security.