The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is preparing to protest in Colombo on Monday (20) afternoon, citing government attempts to delay the election.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis rejected a request made by police to issue an order preventing the SJB-led protest from entering several roads within the Cinnamon Gardens police jurisdiction.

The Cinnamon Gardens Police made the request from the court citing that offices, residences, schools, and foreign missions are located in the said area and the protests could inconvenience the public visiting those places.

The Chief Magistrate noted that if the protestors are conducting themselves in a manner that causes inconvenience to the public, police can use necessary force to prevent those events from taking place and a court order is not necessary.

Thereby, the request was turned down.Meanwhile, the Fort Magistrate issued an order on the General Secretary of the SJB, and several others preventing them from entering several areas including the President’s Office, Finance Ministry and Galle Face from 2.00pm – 7.00pm today today.