Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court today (14) issued an order mandating Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon and three other Police officers to personally compensate an individual with Rs. 2 million for violating his fundamental rights (FR) during detention at the Mirihana Police Station twelve years ago.
The Court concluded that Tennakoon and three other police officers infringed upon the fundamental rights of petitioner W. Ranjith Sumangala through his illegal arrest, detention, and torture at the Mirihana Police Station in 2011, which fell under Tennakoon’s supervision.
Additionally, Ajith Wanasundera, a retired Sergeant Major of the Army involved in the incident, was deemed liable and directed to pay compensation. The State was also instructed to provide Rs. 100,000 in compensation to the petitioner.
In a broader directive, the Supreme Court mandated various authorities, including the National Police Commission, to take disciplinary action against all implicated police officers, including Acting IGP Tennakoon.
The petitioner was represented by Senior Counsel Viran Corea, along with counsel Sarita De Fonseka and Thilini Vidanagamage. Senior State Counsel Induni Punchihewa appeared on behalf of Tennakoon and the Attorney General. Justice S. Thurairaja delivered the judgment, with concurrence from Justices Kumudini Wickremasinghe and Priyantha Fernando.
