by Chitra Weerarathne
Three Inspectors of the Security Division of the Prime Minister’s official residence complained to the Supreme Court in a Fundamental Rights Violation plea about an assault, illegal arrest and an illegal detention committed by officers of the Slave Island Police Station.

The petitioners said that they had been on official surveillance duty in the vicinity of Temple Trees, Colombo 3, on the night of July 21 this year, when they were assaulted, arrested without reason and detained illegally at the Slave Island Police Station.

The reason was animosity due to an incident that took place when the OIC of the Slave Island Police Station tried to enter the Trans Asia Hotel Colombo, carrying a weapon, while the Prime Minister was attending a function there.

The first respondent in this petition is Inspector Jagodaarachchi of the Slave Island Police Station.

On November 15, this petition was supported by Nalin Ladduwahetty. Leave to proceed was granted, arguments were fixed for February 8.

The Registrar of the Court was directed to call for medical reports from the National Hospital, Colombo, and the Police Hospital of Colombo, where the petitioners had been treated for injuries.

The Bench comprised, Justice Mark Fernando, Justice D. P. S. Gunasekera and Justice H. S. Yapa.