Arrest and detention under PTA: Siridhamma Thera’s petition dismissed

• Siridhamma Thera sought a declaration that his arrest and detention under PTA is unlawful
• Supreme Court had earlier granted leave to proceed with the fundamental rights petition

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

A Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging the legality of the arrest and detention order issued under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) activist Ven.Galwewa Siridhamma Thera was yesterday dismissed by the Supreme Court.  

 Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justices S.Thurairaja, Mahinda Samayawardena and Priyantha Fernando refused to grant leave to proceed with the petition.  
In his petition, Siridhamma Thera sought a declaration that his arrest and detention under PTA is unlawful. Siridhamma Thera was detained under the PTA for 90 days subsequent to a Detention Order issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Defence.  

However, the Supreme Court had earlier granted leave to proceed with the fundamental rights petition filed by IUSF Convener Wasantha Mudalige for violating his fundamental rights declared and recognized by the constitution.