Court dismisses complaint against cops for preventing protest

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage on Friday (25) gave an order dismissing the Private Plaint filed against the Colombo SSP Roshan Dias and ASP Dilruk.

On the 08th of November 2022, State Counsel Shaminda Wickrema appearing for the Attorney General strongly objected to the Private Plaint stating that material had been suppressed by the Complainant and that the Attorney General’s sanction was essential to file a Private Plaint. 

He stated that the Court had been wilfully misled and "prostituted"  as held in the case of Rex v Meera Saibo, by the Complainant. 

Saliya Pieris PC for the Complainant said that there was no suppression and no Unlawful Assembly.

Magistrate Thilina Gamage gave an order holding that the Attorney General’s position was correct, that the officers had acted lawfully and even filed a further B Report proving their bona fides.

The Magistrate decided that not seeking sanction of the Attorney-General was fatal and dismissed the case, holding in favour of the Attorney-General.

SC Shaminda Wickrema, Malik Azeez and Nisith Abeysooriya for the Attorney General.

Saliya Pieris PC for the Complainant.

A group of lawyers and professionals had organized a peaceful protest condemning the police behavior towards the participants who engaged in a protest on October 9th to commemorate the people who died and were injured while being involved in the Aragalaya protests.

In his private plaint, journalist Tharindu Jayawardena said police prevented the participants from proceeding further in which they have a right to proceed as they sought prior permission