Lawyers to meet detained officers

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

The Supreme Court yesterday directed the CID to give access to lawyers to visit the detained Army officers arrested at Presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka's political office.

According to the court order, the lawyers could meet the detained officers from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. next Sunday.

The Court directed the counsel for petitioner Army officers to support their rights applications on Monday after meeting with their clients.

The counsel also sought to reserve their rights to amend the petitions with regard to some of the petitioners who were released by the Magistrate Court. The Bench comprised Chief Justice Asoka de Silva, Justice P.A. Rathnayake PC and Justice S.I. Imam.

Eighteen officers arrested at Fonseka's Political Office, filed rights applications in the Supreme Court alleging that their rights have been violated by the arrest and detention.

The petitioners cited the IGP, Director CID and the Attorney General as respondents.

Counsel Viran Corea and Crishmal Warnasuriya appeared for the petitioners. Senior State Counsel Riyaz Hamza appeared for the respondents.

The applications will be supported on Monday.