Rights application against detention of journalist

Wasantha Ramanayake

Attorney-at Law Lilanthi de Silva yesterday filed a rights application in the Supreme Court against the arrest and detention of journalist Ruwan Weerakoon.

The petitioner stated that the journalist is being detained at the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) on charges of conspiracy to overthrow the Government.

In this case the petitioner cited Police officers attached to the TID and the CID including IP Saman Karunarathna of the TID and several others as respondents.

The petitioner stated that Weerakoon had contributed to the Bottom Line, the Asian Tribune and the Associated Press.

She stated that the petitioner was arrested at the Nawaloka Hospital while receiving treatments on March 15.

The petitioner stated that the arrest and the detention of the journalist was illegal and was in violation of his rights.