SC seeks status report from IGP over investigations against Lohan Ratwatte

The Supreme Court today directed the IGP to file a status report in a Fundamental Rights petition filed against the alleged criminal conduct on the part of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte at Anuradhapura prison.

The Supreme Court made this order subsequent to a request made by President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran who appeared on behalf of the eight prisoners. The Supreme Court had earlier issued an interim order directing the IGP to take action against Lohan Ratwatte. The Supreme Court had further issued an interim order to immediately transfer eight prisoners from Anuradhapura prison as a measure of ensuring their security.

Eight prisoners detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) at the Anuradhapura prison had filed this Fundamental Rights petition through their lawyers.

The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justice S. Thurairaja, Justice Achala Wengappuli and Justice Arjuna Obeysekera fixed the petition to be taken up for argument on August 9.

The Supreme Court had decided to grant leave to proceed in terms of Article Article 11, 12(1) and 12(2).

The petitioners are seeking an order in respect of the alleged serious offences committed by State Minister Ratwatte at the Anuradhapura Prison on I2th of September 2021.

The petitioners stated that on the 12th of September, 2022 around 6.05 pm, the ten detainees were asked to come out into the Prison complex's courtyard. They said the State Minister and another person who appeared to be his Secretary, some others who looked like his security detail and some Prison guards were there. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)