SC granted leave to proceed against Deshabandu Tennakoon and others

The Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed against Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennekoon and eleven other police officers over the arrest of Social media activist and the admin of 'GoHomeGota2022' Facebook page Thisara Anurudhdha Bandara.

Supreme Court two-judge-bench comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda and Arjuna Obeysekera granted leave to proceed against the respondents for the alleged violation of Anurudhdha Bandara's freedom from arbitrary arrest, freedom of expression and the right of equality before the law. 

The Petitioner states that his arrest was without any justifiable reason for posting posts on Facebook hat are not against the law and his arrest was without reasonable cause and for holding and expressing an alternative political opinion.

Inspector General of Police Chandana Wickremaratne, Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon, DIG Chandra Kumara, Modara Police OIC Nalin Sriyantha and several others were named as the respondents in the petition.

President's Counsel Saliya Pieris, Counsel Thanuka Nandasiri and Manujaya de Silva appeared for the Petitioner. Deputy Solicitor General Kanishka Balapatabendi appeared for the  Attorney General. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)