The state should protect its citizens

Recently, the Supreme Court declared that the former Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Hasalaka Police Station had violated the Fundamental Rights of a woman who was arrested and detained for wearing an item of clothing bearing a ship’s wheel, which was mistakenly interpreted as a depiction of the Dhammachakra.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court ordered the former OIC to pay Rs. 30,000 in compensation to the petitioner, through his personal funds. This is a step in the right direction to put the Police in their place. Those who have been appointed to maintain law and order in the country have been busy violating the fundamental rights of civilians. Certain police officers display extremely ignorant behaviour, trying to frame people into various wrongdoings0. 

In another shocking incident, a suspect who was wrongfully detained and later released by the Mt. Lavinia Magistrate’s court was no longer alive as he had committed suicide due to the mental toll of his incarceration. The individual had been arrested by the Dehiwala Police in May 2024 for alleged possession of 3,200 mg of heroin—a non-bailable offence under Sri Lankan law. He was remanded for three months before being granted bail by the High Court. This is another outcome of the so-called Yukthiya operation which was just another political drama. 

All these incidents indicate that previous governments have failed its citizens miserably and that they have no say, even if their rights have been safeguarded by the Constitution.  Justice Minister, perhaps this is something for you to look at!

A concerned citizen