The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that the Police had violated fundamental human rights when two farmers were arrested and remanded in connection with a protest in Kalukele, along the Polonnaruwa–Mahiyangana road in 2018.
The protest was staged to oppose the authorities’ failure to take action to prevent wild elephants from invading villages.
As per the ruling, S.M.L.R. Bandara, the then officer-in-charge of the Aralaganwila Police, was ordered to personally pay Rs. 30,000 each in compensation to the petitioners from his own funds.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, with the concurrence of Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and Justice S. Thurairaja.
The Court emphasized that magistrates should not remand individuals simply at police request, underscoring the need for judicial discretion in such cases, and adding that Magistrates must be clearly informed of the necessity behind such police requests.
Additionally, the Wildlife Director General was instructed to formulate a comprehensive plan to prevent wild elephant invasions.
Copies of the judgment were ordered to be sent to the Attorney General, Inspector General of Police, Wildlife Director General, Director General of Wildlife Conservation, Officer-in-Charge of Aralaganwila Police, and the Director General of the Mahaweli Authority to take necessary action. (Newswire)