Thera files FR over search of temple

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

Nugegoda Nalandaramaya Chief Incumbent Thiniyawala Palitha Thera filed a fundamental rights application in the Supreme Court against a police search of the temple by the Mirihana Police.

Petitioner Palitha Thera stated that Mirihana police OIC searched the temple for explosives on February 25, with a Magisterial warrant. He stated that the magisterial order was obtained without any justifiable basis in order to search the temple and desecrate the sanctity of the temple which would have an adverse impact on the petitioner.

The petitioner stated the search was illegal and in violation of the rights of the petitioner.

The petitioner cited the OIC, Mirihana Police, Pradeep Ratnayake, the superintendent and the senior superintendent in charge of the Mirihana Division, the DIG of the Western Province-South, the IGP and the Attorney General as respondents. The petitioner sought a declaration that his rights have been violated by the respondents and a court direction to take disciplinary action against the 1-4 respondents. Attorney-at-Law Rohan Senaratna filed the petition.