Saturday, February 11, 2012

Lorry driver allowed to proceed with FR petition against TID

 He worked for Army Intelligence
The Supreme Court yesterday granted leave to proceed with the fundamental rights violation application filed by Kandegedara Priyawansa, a lorry driver from Nuwara Eliya, who had worked in the Intelligence Unit of the Sri Lanka Army.

The petitioner had said that the Terrorist Investigation Unit had arrested him on February 27, 2010, to question him about his alleged friendship with Pitchchai Jesudasan, a motor mechanic from Nuwara Eliya. Later, the petitioner had been added as a suspect in the murder of Lasantha Wickramathunga, editor of the Sunday Leader.

The petitioner said that there was no reason to add him as a suspect in the Lasantha murder. The petitioner, when question by the TID, had denied friendship with Jesudasan and said that he never had in his custody the national identity card of Jesudasan. He had denied any link with General Fonseka as well.

The petition alleged arbitrary treatment, illegal arrest and illegal detention by the Defence Authorities and the Terrorist Investigation Unit.

J. C. Weliamuna appeared or the petitioner.

Senior State Counsel Shanaka Wijesinghe appeared for the respondents.

The Bench comprised Justices S. Sripavan, Chandra Ekanayake and R. K. S. Sureshchandra.

The case will be argued on July 30, 2012.
By Chitra Weerarathne
IS