Three individuals, including the then Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of Galle, today offered an unconditional apology before the Supreme Court to a group of lawyers over an incident in which police allegedly disrupted a peaceful protest held near the Galle Fort during the 2022 economic crisis.
The matter was taken up before a three-judge Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justice Achala Vengappuli, and Justice Sampath Wijeratne, following a fundamental rights petition filed by two Galle-based lawyers, Ajith Kumara and Amaradiwakara Liyanage, who alleged that their fundamental rights had been violated due to the police action.
The respondents named in the petition — the then DIG in charge of the Galle area, K.N.G. Wedasinghe, the then Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of Galle, and the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Galle Police — appeared before the court.
State Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents informed the court that the respondents had unconditionally apologized to the petitioners over the incident.
The State Counsel further stated that the respondents would submit a written apology to the court addressed to the petitioners.
President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris, appearing on behalf of the petitioners, informed the court that his clients were willing to accept the apology.
After recording the settlement, Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena addressed the police officers who appeared before the court.
“These petitioning lawyers complained about an illegal act that occurred on the day of the incident. They have travelled from Galle today to attend this case. Their presence to resolve this matter should be appreciated. Such relief is not easily obtained,” the Chief Justice stated.
Following the settlement, the court decided to conclude the hearing of the petition.
In the petition, filed through Attorney Manjula Balasuriya, the petitioners stated that on July 6, 2022, during the height of the economic crisis, a group of lawyers staged a peaceful protest near Galle Fort while displaying protest placards.
The petitioners further alleged that police officers who arrived at the location disrupted the protest and tore down the placards.
Through the petition, the lawyers sought a ruling from the Supreme Court declaring that the respondents had violated their fundamental rights through their actions.
