ROSHANA MICHAEL v. SALEH, OIC (CRIMES), POLICE STATION, NARAHENPITA AND OTHERS SC (FR) NO. 1/2001

The petiitoner, a visiting domestic servant worked in the house of her employer until 12.15 pm on 03. 12. 2000. At about 6 pm., the employer’s wife (the complainant) observed her husband’s gold wristlet watch missing. She got down the petitioner and questioned her but the wristlet watch was not found. According to the Information Book of the Narahenpita Police Station, the complainant had made a complaint regarding the loss of the wristlet watch on 04. 12. 2000 at 9.10 am.; the 1st respondent (Inspector of Police) and another officer…

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KARUNATHILAKE VS LIY A N A G E , IN SP EC TO R OF P O LIC E (CR IM ES), G A M P A H A AN D OTHERS HCA14/2001

The petitioner had sought a writ of habeas corpus stating that her son, the 8th respondent was arrested by the Police on 30.04.2001, at Katugastota and was taken to the Nittambuwa Police Station. Thereafter he was taken to Weerangula Police Station, where he had been badly assaulted in connection with the murder of a Customs Officer. The plaintiff contended that as there was prima facie evidence of an infringement or imminent infringement of a fundamental right the matter should be referred to the Supreme Court to determine that matter. Thus…

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SIRIPALA v SUB INSPECTOR WIJESINGHE AND OTHERS FR 213/2001

The petitioner in his affidavit states that he is fifty-five years old and a father of four children. Due to indigent circumstances he was dealing in illicit liquor but gave up that trade three to four months prior to the incident complained of. According to him at the time of the alleged incident he had started working as a casual labourer. The petitioner further states that on 07.03.2001, at around 7 pm he went to the edge of the forest situated behind his house, to relieve himself. When he was…

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S E N A D E E R A , IN SP EC TO R OF P O LIC E , P U LM U D D A I P O LIC E STATION vs LT. SIY A S IN G H E A N D O TH E R S SC APPLICATION No. 263/2001 (FR)

The petitioner police officer complained that when he and his wife (President, Police Seva Vanitha Movement) were having lunch, the first and second respondents (army officers of the Kokilai Camp) together with soldiers of the Kokilai Camp arrived, kicked their plates and took the petitioner away in a truck, assaulted him and later chased him away. In his counter affidavit the petitioner said that there were other uniformed police officers accompanying him but there was no affidavit from any officer to support this, except his wife’s affidavit. The 3rd to…

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SRIYANI SILVA (WIFE OF JAGATH KUMARA-DECEASED) v. IDDAMALGODA, OFFICER-IN-CHARGE, POLICE STATION, PAYAGALA AND OTHERS SC APPLICATION No. 471/2000

On 12.6.2000 the deceased was arrested and kept in custody at the Payagala Police Station where he remained in custody until he was produced before the Magistrate on 17.06.2000 when he was remanded to prison. On 20.6.2000 the detenue died at the Remand Prison. There is prima facie evidence including medical evidence to the effect that the deceased was assaulted whilst in police custody and his death resulted by reason of such assault. A petition was filed on 18.7.2000 on behalf of the petitioner (the deceased detenue). On 23.8.2000 on…

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SRIYANI SILVA v IDDAMALGODA, OFFICER-IN-CHARGE, POLICE STATION PAIYAGALA AND OTHERS SC NO. 471/2000 (FR)

The petitioner is the widow of an army deserter (deceased) against whom there was also an open warrant signed by the Magistrate for possession of illicit liquor and distilling equipment. On 12.06.2000 the 2nd respondent OIC (Crimes) Paiyagala Police Station, arrested the deserter and took him to the police station where he was detained until the 17th. The petitioner and deceased’s mother and sister stated that they visited the deceased on 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th and observed the deceased being assaulted and with serious injuries. The deceased also told…

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PRIYANTHA DIAS v. EKANAYAKE, RESERVE POLICE CONSTABLE. POLICE STATION, POLPITHIGAMA AND OTHERS SC (APPLICATION) NO. 860/99

The petitioner who is from Homagama was a teacher attached to the Kattamberiya Yaya Vidyalaya, Makulpotha. He was accompanied by the Principal of the school and was on the way to board a bus. At that stage the1st and 2nd respondent Reserve Police Constables came on a motor cycle and questioned the petitioner, including on his place of birth. When the petitioner replied that it was Batdcaloa they said that he must be a tiger and assaulted him despite the intervention of the Principal. They forcibly took the petitioner on…

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SIRIMAWATHIE FERNANDO v. WICKREMARATNE, OFFICER IN CHARGE, POLICE STATION, DEHIWELA AND OTHERS SC APPLICATION NO. 255/98

The petitioners’ sister was the lessee of shop No. 2 Dehlwala Market belonging to the Dehlwala – Mt. Lavlnla  Municipal Council. The lessee was carrying on a grocery business In the premises. As the lessee was old and feeble, the p e titio n er a ssiste d h er to continue w ith the b u sin ess. T he 5 th re sp o n d e n t the M ayor o f the C ouncil is said to have decided to b u ild a new…

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WIJENAYAKE AND OTHERS v. AMERASENA AND OTHERS SC (FR) 290/98

The Petitioners allege that a Police party entered the “Guesthouse” and caused a search to be made. The Petitioners also allege that they were brutally assaulted. The Petitioners were also charged under the Brothels Ordinance, in the Magistrate’s Court, and all the Petitioners were acquitted after trial. The State will pay the Petitioners Rs. 25,000/- as compensation and costs. The three Petitioners will therefore be entitled to a sum of Rs. 150,000/- from the 1st to the 7th Respondents as compensation and a sum of Rs. 25,000/- from the State…

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