Youth files FR Petition over unlawful arrest and detention linked to ‘Teacher Amma’ assault allegation

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

The young man allegedly assaulted by Hayeshika Fernando, also known as ‘Teacher Amma’, a well-known tutor who conducts classes for Grade 5 students, has filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court, challenging his unlawful arrest and detention by the Katana Police over an alleged sexual harassment complaint.   
In his petition, the petitioner claims that he was detained by the police for a period of 72 hours without being produced before a Magistrate.   
When the matter was called before a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices Achala Wengappuli and Sampath Wijeratne, it was fixed for support on January 26 next year.   
Senior Deputy Solicitor General Lakmali Karunanayake, appearing for the Attorney General, informed the court that she would obtain observations from the police and file limited objections to the petition.   
The petitioner, K.R.T. Agalawatta, filed the petition naming Katana OIC Sudasinghe, SI Perera, the Negombo Superintendent of Police, the Attorney General, and several others as respondents.   
The petitioner stated that he was employed as a telephone and studio operator at Queens Educational Institution in Katana. He further said that on or about May 6, 2025, at approximately 6 p.m., he was instructed to provide training to a female employee of the institution who had no prior experience in computing.   
According to the petitioner, he and the female employee proceeded to the studio, which was under surveillance, where he began instructing her on basic computer operations. While doing so, they were suddenly summoned to the main office.   
The petitioner stated that later that night, around 10 p.m., he was assaulted by Hayeshika Fernando, the owner of Queens Educational Institute, along with a group of individuals at the premises where he was employed. He alleged that the assault was motivated by a comment made by his sister on a Facebook post published by Hayeshika Fernando.   
He further claimed that during the assault, Hayeshika explicitly stated she was taking revenge for what his sister had done. She allegedly proceeded to attack him physically using a high-heeled shoe, specifically targeting his lower abdomen and genital area. The petitioner said Hayeshika then demanded that he falsely confess to having sexually harassed the female employee.   
Following the alleged assault, the petitioner was taken to the Katana Police Station, and the female employee filed a complaint accusing him of sexual harassment. Due to the seriousness of his injuries, officers of the Katana Police arranged for his hospitalization. He was admitted to the Negombo Hospital and discharged on May 8, 2025.   
The petitioner further stated that on May 13, he was again admitted to the Ragama Teaching Hospital due to complications from the assault. He was subsequently transferred to Colombo National Hospital on May 15.   
While receiving treatment at Ragama Hospital, five officers from the Katana Police Station arrived around 7 p.m. on May 14 and arrested him. He was taken into police custody.