A group of police officers yesterday (03) sought an unconditional apology before the Supreme Court after handcuffing and interrogating a lawyer’s driver on a main road.
The officers had mistaken the driver for a suspect wanted in connection with Operation Yukthiya.
The petition was heard before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, comprising justices Prithi Padman Surasena, Achala Wengappuli and Mahinda Samayawardhena.
When the fundamental rights petition filed by Selvaraj Rajapandi, a resident of Kalutara, was taken up before the Supreme Court, he offered to accept an apology accordingly.
Police Sergeant Dissanayake, along with Police Constables Premaratne, Ratnasiri, Senadhira, and Nanayakkara, all attached to the Negombo police station, issued an apology for the incident.
As the group of police officers agreed to issue an unconditional apology, the Supreme Court decided to conclude the proceedings related to the petition.
Advocate Maheshika Silva, representing the respondent police officers, acknowledged that the investigation was a mistake and expressed their willingness to issue an apology for the error.
President’s Counsel Chamatka Weerakoon Unambuwa, representing the petitioner, stated that there was no further need to pursue the petition if the respondent officers were seeking to offer an apology.
The bench inquired whether the respondents were willing to offer an unconditional apology.
The police officers expressed their agreement to offer an apology.
Accordingly, the bench issued a stern warning to the officers, advising them to avoid such errors in future.
The petitioner stated that on 16 January, while returning from the Negombo Court by vehicle, he was approached by a group of individuals in civilian clothing who arrived on motorcycles and stopped in front of his vehicle.
He further asserted that the group, identifying themselves as police officers, proceeded to search him, handcuff him and examine a tattoo on his right hand.
The petitioner further claimed that after confirming he did not have a tattoo on his arm, the group departed, stating, “not him… a mistake”.
He added that subsequent investigations revealed that these individuals were attached to Negombo police, leading to the submission of this fundamental rights petition.
The petitioner filed this petition seeking a ruling that the respondent police officers had violated his fundamental human rights through their actions.
