IT student assault case:

SC to inquire into FR application

Wasantha Ramanayake

The Supreme Court yesterday decided to inquire into a Ffundamental Rights application filed by IT student Nipuna Ramanayake against the alleged assault, illegal arrest and detention by Police officers attached to the Colombo Crimes Division(CCD).

The Bench comprised Chief Justice Asoka de Silva, Justice Jagath Balapatabendi and Justice S.I. Imam.

President’s Counsel Manohara de Silva appearing for Ramanayake submitted that the respondent police officers attached to the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) on August 4, while he was at the Malabe IT campus, hauled him into a vehicle and inhumanly assaulted and abused him later. The counsel submitted that he was later taken to the house of the 14th respondent Ravindu Gunawardane, where he was further assaulted by Ravindu’s mother. He stated that the first respondent SSP Vaas Gunawardane had later taken him to CCD headquarters in Dematagoda. Later, the petitioner’s parents had admitted him to Hospital.

The petitioner stated that the inhuman degrading treatment, the illegal arrest and detention by the police officers and the assault by the other respondents were in violation of his Fundamental Rights.

The petitioner sought a declaration that the respondents had violated his fundamental rights and a direction to the Attorney General to indict the police officers including SSP Vaas Gunawardane, Ravindu Gunawardane and his mother P. Perera .

He further sought compensation of Rs. 100 million.

President’s Counsel Manohara de Silva instructed by Bandara Thalagune appeared for the petitioner.

Senior State Counsel Riyaz Hamza appeared for the respondents.

Further hearing was fixed for February 26, 2010.