The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a fundamental rights petition filed by a group, including Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, alleging police misconduct during a peaceful protest in Polduwa in 2023.
The petition accuses former Acting Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon and several officers of violating the rights of women from the National People’s Power during the protest. The case will be heard by a bench comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Achala Wengappuli, and Priyantha Fernando.
The respondents include Deshabandu Tennakoon, Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of the Welikada, Thalangama, and Mirihana police stations, and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Nugegoda.
According to the petition, the protest took place on December 4, 2023, during the budget debate on the Ministry of Women’s Affairs. A group of women had gathered at the Polduwa intersection to raise awareness of issues affecting them. The petition alleges that the police unlawfully disrupted the protest, violating the participants’ fundamental rights.
The petitioners are seeking a court declaration that their rights were violated and are requesting compensation for the harm caused.
