The Dehiwala Police on Wednesday (9) informed the Mount Lavinia Magistrate Court that 21-year-old aviation student Mohamed Rifai Mohamed Suhail had not committed any offence, despite being detained for nearly nine months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
According to Attorneys representing the Social Justice Lawyers’ Collective, The Officer-in-Charge of the Dehiwala Police, told court that police had no objection to granting bail and acknowledged that no evidence had been found against Suhail during the investigation.
Suhail, a resident of Mawanella, was first arrested in October 2024 near the Israeli consular premises in Dehiwala. Although initially detained for not carrying his national ID, he was released by court after producing it — only to be re-arrested shortly after under the PTA based on the Instagram post showing the Israeli flag being trampled.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Magistrate has reportedly questioned the police on why Suhail was held so long if no offence had occurred. She noted that court lacks authority to grant bail under the PTA and criticised the police for not consulting the Attorney General earlier.
Police revealed that a legal report had been submitted to the Attorney General’s Department on May 27, but instructions were still pending. The Magistrate ordered police to return to court on July 15 with the AG’s advice. Suhail, who appeared via video, is expected to be produced in open court at the next hearing.
Attorneys representing the Social Justice Lawyers’ Collective condemned the continued detention, calling it a gross misuse of the PTA and a disruption to Suhail’s life and education.
Speaking in Parliament on the same day, SJB MP Mujibur Rahman also criticised the police, blaming officials for “destroying the life of a young boy” by keeping him in custody for months without charge. He called for urgent reforms to prevent similar incidents.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has been notified of the case, and Suhail’s family has filed a complaint citing unlawful detention and fundamental rights violations.
Rights groups have long warned that the PTA enables indefinite detention without trial. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights recently urged Sri Lanka to suspend the law, citing abuses and prolonged detentions like Suhail’s.
Unless the Attorney General recommends charges, Suhail could be released next week — ending a detention that critics say should never have happened. (Newswire)
