Arrest, detention of writer Shakthika FR petition fixed for argument

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by award-winning writer Shakthika Sathkumara challenging his arrest and detention over an allegation that he had propagated religious hatred through a short story titled “Ardha” (Half) has been fixed for argument by the Supreme Court.  

On April 1, 2019, Sathkumara was arrested by Polgahawela police under the Penal Code and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Act for allegedly propagating religious hatred through his literary work. Sathkumara was subsequently discharged from the case filed before the Polgahawela Magistrate’s Court following the Attorney General’s recommendation not to prosecute the suspect any further.  

A Supreme Court three-judge bench comprising Justices Padman Surasena, Yasantha Kodagoda and Arjuna Obeysekera fixed the petition to be taken up for argument on June 7 next year.  

The Supreme Court had granted leave to proceed with this Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging his arbitrary arrest and detention.  

On February 15, 2019, Sathkumara wrote a short story titled “Ardha” in a publicly available post on social media. It is said to be about a young former monk who had lately left the monastic life and moved into a friend’s boarding house while pursuing a university degree.  

President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris with Counsel Pulasthi Hewamanna and Harini Jayawardhana instructed by Niluka Dissanayake appeared for the petitioner, while Deputy Solicitor General Lakmali Karunanayke appeared for the respondents.