SC rules activist’s arrest during ‘GotaGoHome’ protests violated Fundamental Rights

Colombo, July 23 (Daily Mirror) - The Supreme Court today held that the arrest of social activist Anuruddha Bandara during the 2022 “GotaGoHome” protest movement was arbitrary and unlawful, ruling that the police violated his fundamental rights by arresting him without objectively reasonable grounds.

In a judgment delivered today, a three-judge bench comprising Justices Janak De Silva, Dr. Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Menaka Wijesundera found that the petitioner’s rights under Articles 12(1) and 13(1) of the Constitution had been infringed by the then Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon and the Officer-in-Charge of the Colombo North Crimes Investigation Division. 

Justice Dr. Sobhitha Rajakaruna delivered the judgment, with the other two judges concurring.

The petitioner had challenged his arrest and detention, alleging that police targeted him because of his criticism of the then government and his support for peaceful anti-government protests during the country’s economic crisis. He maintained that he had used social media to encourage peaceful demonstrations and had consistently urged protesters to remain non-violent.

Saliya Peiris, PC, with Thanuka Nandasiri and Manujaya De Silva appeared for the petitioner while State Counsel Sajith Bandara appeared for the Attorney General.