The Supreme Court has granted permission to hear a fundamental rights petition filed by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP and lawyer Sujeewa Senasinghe.
The petition challenges the legality of ongoing investigations against him by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), alleging that his fundamental human rights have been violated due to these unlawful probes.
A three-member Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Kumuduni Wickramasinghe, Janak de Silva, and Sampath Abeykoon, issued the order yesterday (13) after extensive deliberation.
As per the court’s directive, the Acting Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Inspector General in charge of the CID, its Director, the Attorney General, and 18 others have been named as respondents in the case.
The Supreme Court has instructed the respondents to file any objections within six weeks from today. Additionally, the petition hearing has been scheduled for September 10.
President’s Counsel Ali Shabri, representing the petitioner Sujeewa Senasinghe on the instructions of Attorney Sanath Wijewardene, informed the court that the CID had initiated an investigation against his client based on misleading information regarding an allegedly illegally assembled vehicle.
He further stated that while the investigation focused on claims that the vehicle was unlawfully assembled, it had been properly registered in 2022. He dismissed allegations that the vehicle was later used under a garage number as baseless.
Additionally, the President’s Counsel emphasized that the complaint, which formed the basis of the investigation, lacked credibility and was entirely unfounded.
The court was also informed that the Walana Anti-Corruption Unit had initially conducted an inquiry into the matter and had reported that no illegal activities were found.
After reviewing the submissions, the three-judge Supreme Court bench decided to proceed with hearing the petition.
