The Supreme Court was informed today (23) that the arrest and prolonged remand of a Mawanella youth under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) were unlawful, with the responsible Police officer apologizing and agreeing to pay compensation.

Mohamed Rifai Mohamed Suhel, 21, had been remanded for nearly nine months after the Police alleged he posted content on social media in October 2024, harming the Israeli flag. 

Appearing before the court, Dehiwala Police OIC H.M.A.B. Herath expressed regret, acknowledged a violation of fundamental rights, and handed over Rs. 2 million in compensation in open court.

The petition was heard before Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Janak de Silva and Sampath Wijeratne. 

Counsel for the petitioner, Hejaaz Hizbullah, noted that the Attorney General had advised there was no basis for charges, resulting in the youth’s release by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court.

Both parties agreed to settle the case, and the Supreme Court bench ordered the conclusion of proceedings. 

The youth also undertook to withdraw a complaint filed with the Human Rights Commission against the Police officer.

The 21‑year‑old youth had filed a fundamental rights petition in the Supreme Court, claiming that the Police violated his fundamental rights by arresting him and remanding him under the PTA based on false information alleging he had posted content on social media harming the Israeli flag. (Newswire)

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The Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court has ordered the release of Mohamed Suhail, a 21-year-old aviation student, who was arrested and detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) over an anti-Israel post on social media. 

During court proceedings today (15), Mohamed Suhail was presented in open court. 

Representing the Sri Lanka Police, the OIC of the Dehiwala Police Station, Anuradha Herath, submitted to the magistrate the Attorney General’s recommendation requesting Mohamed Suhail’s release on bail.

Taking this into consideration, the Mount Lavinia Magistrate instructed the Police to release Mohamed Suhail on bail.

Representing Mohamed Suhail were senior attorney Geethma Fernando, along with attorneys Ilham Hasanali, Ashraf Mukhtar, and Behshad.  

Mohamed 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 the 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.

However, last week, the Dehiwala Police OIC informed the court they had “no objection” to granting bail as they had “found no evidence” against him. 

The Dehiwala Police further informed that the  21-year-old had not committed any offence, despite being detained for nearly nine months under the PTA. (Newswire)

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