SJB challenges the declaration of High-Security Zones under the Official Secrets Act.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order suspending the operation of the gazette notification issued by the President, declaring High-Security Zones in Colombo city.

SJB Parliamentarians Harshana Rajakaruna and Mujibar Rahuman filed this petition, naming the Minister of Defence, Acting Defence Minister, Defence Secretary, and Attorney General as respondents.

The petitioners state that by the High-Security Zone Order, the President, as the Minister of Defence, has declared several areas as "High-Security Zones", purportedly under Section 2 of the Official Secret Act No. 32 of 1955.

The petitioners state that the intention of the legislature to pass the Official Secrets Act No. 32 of 1955 was to restrict access to official secrets and secret documents and to prevent unauthorised disclosure.

Two SJB parliamentarians stated that in order to achieve the legislative intention, Section 2 of the Act authorises the Minister of Defence to declare any land, building, ship, or aircraft as a "prohibited" place for the purposes of the Act. They maintained that the said Act does not mention the phrase "high security zone" or any such related terminology within its legal provisions.

They further alleged that the government’s approach to adopting the Official Secret Act and making a declaration grossly violates the fundamental rights of the people of this country.