SC grants leave against detention of narcotics officer 

Sub Inspector Udara Premasiri, who was arrested and detained purportedly under the Prevention of Terrorism Act last June, filed a petition before the Supreme Court (SC). 

The bench comprising of Justice Amarasekara, Justice Wickramasinghe and Justice Wengappuli after an extensive arguments from both parties, decided to grant leave under Articles 11, 12(1), 13(1), 13(2), 13(3), 13(5), 14(1)(g) and 14(1)(h). 

Furthermore, the Judges directed the CID to grant access to Premasiri’s counsel to meet him without any hindrance to the Attorney-Client privilege.  Chrishmal Warnasuriya with P.B. Herath, Selvarajah Arjunkumar and Maduwanthi Konara appeared for the petitioners, while ASG Priyantha Nawanna PC and DSG Dileepa Pieris appeared on behalf of the State. The matter will be taken up again on 1 July.