Former Dehiwala OIC Apologizes For Wrongful PTA Arrest, Pays Rs. 2 Million Compensation

COLOMBO (News 1st): The former Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Dehiwala Police offered an apology before the Supreme Court regarding the arrest of a youth from Mawanella, who was remanded for over nine months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in October 2024.

This occurred when a Fundamental Rights petition, filed by the youth against his unlawful arrest and detention under the PTA, was taken up for hearing. 

The petition was called before a three-judge Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justice Janak de Silva, and Justice Sampath Wijeratne.

The youth had been arrested on allegations of sharing a social media post depicting damage to the Israeli flag.

The former OIC admitted that the youth's fundamental human rights were violated through this action and agreed to pay Rs. 2 million in compensation. 

The respondent OIC subsequently handed over the money to the youth in open court.