SC grants leave for rights petitions filed for Army Intelligence Officers

The Supreme Court on 1 June granted leave to proceed with rights petitions filed on behalf of four Army Intelligence Unit officers who were arrested and detained for alleged involvement in the alleged abduction or detention of Prageeth Ekneligoda.

The Bench comprising Chief Justice K.Sripavan, Justices Eva Wanasundera and Priyantha Jayawardane granted leave for the alleged violation of the said officers’right to equality, arbitrary arrest and detention.

The matter is fixed for hearing on 29 August.

The Intelligence Unit officers are staff Sergeant Priyantha Kumara, Corporal Anura Jayaratne, Lt. Col. Kumararatne and Lt. T.T.Praboda.

Officer-in-Charge of the CID Nishantha Adrian Silva, ASP P.Shani Abeysekara, CID Director Sudath Nagahamulla, IGP, Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi and the Attorney General were cited as Respondents.

Manohara de Silva PC appeared for the aggrieved parties. Deputy Solicitor General Navavi appeared for the State.