Former Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Cyber Crime Investigation and Intelligence Analysis Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Mr. M.M.U. Subhasinghe, today expressed his regret in writing to civil activist and comedian Ms. Nathasha Edirisooriya at the Supreme Court regarding her arrest under the ICCPR Act.

The Attorney General’s Department, appearing on behalf of the respondents, informed the court that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) will issue a set of guidelines via a circular to all police officers to prevent unlawful arrests under this Act in the future. It was further noted that the circular would be issued within two weeks, and the petitioner, Nathasha Edirisooriya, has examined and agreed to these guidelines.

These submissions were made today before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice P. Padman Surasena, during the hearing of the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed by Ms. Edirisooriya challenging her unlawful arrest.

Following these developments, the court ordered the respondents to inform the court via a motion within two weeks of issuing the IGP circular and ordered the conclusion of the case proceedings.

Nathasha Edirisooriya was present in open court today. Addressing her, Chief Justice P. Padman Surasena stated that the court appreciates the manner in which the legal proceedings were brought to a conclusion.

The letter expressing regret stated:

“As the arresting officer, considering the totality of circumstances, I wish to express deep regret to you for the arrest on 27th May 2023 and your incarceration in remand custody till 5th July 2023 consequent thereto. I also extend my deep regret regarding the damage that may have been caused to your reputation and dignity, and mental and emotional trauma caused by her arrest and incarceration.“

The respondents agreed to express this regret and issue the circular based on the specific conditions put forward by Ms. Nathasha Edirisooriya in consultation with her counsel Suren Fernando and the legal team. (Newswire)

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Sri Lankan stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya who was arrested for having allegedly made derogatory comments on Buddhism has been further remanded. 

Nathasha Edirisooriya was further remanded until July 05 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court today. 

Nathasha Edirisooriya was arrested on May 29 and remanded for having allegedly made derogatory comments on Buddhism during a stand-up comedy show in early April. 

Meanwhile, Bruno Divakara, the owner of SL-Vlogs, who was also arrested in connection to Nathasha Edirisooriya’s comedy show has been granted bail by the Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Bruno Divakara was arrested for having shared video footage of the show on his YouTube channel ‘SL-Vlogs’, which went viral on social media. 

Furthermore, Venerable Rajangane Saddharathana Thera who was arrested for making comments allegedly harmful to religious co-existence has also been further remanded.

Venerable Rajangane Saddharathana Thera was further remanded until July 05 by the Fort Magistrate’s court today.

He was arrested in Anuradhapura in May based on a complaint filed by a fellow monk, Venerable Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thera. (NewsWire)

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Five individuals who had commented on the arrest of Sri Lankan stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya during a press conference have been accused of contempt of court, it was reported.

According to News19, the allegations were made when the case against Nathasha Edirisooriya, who made derogatory statements on Buddhism, was taken up for hearing before the Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Representing Sihala Ravaya Convenor Prabath Madhubashana, his lawyer informed the court that the media briefing that was held after the arrest of Nathasha Edirisooriya was an act of contempt of court.

Submitting photographs of the press conference, the lawyer stated that the request made during the media briefing to release Nathasha Edirisooriya from all charges was deemed an act of contempt of court.

Journalists Tharindu Jayawardena and Tharindu Udavaragedera, Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra, and activists Vidharshana Kannangara and Bitro Fernando had expressed their views at the media briefing. 

The lawyer further informed the court that a complaint had been filed with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in this regard but no action has been taken as yet.

Taking into consideration the presented facts, Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage informed the CID to launch an investigation into the statements made by the accused five individuals. (NewsWire)

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Sri Lankan stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya and Bruno Divakara, the owner of SL-Vlogs, have been further remanded till June 21.

The duo were further remanded by the Fort Magistrate’s Court today. 

Nathasha Edirisooriya was arrested on May 29 and remanded until today for having allegedly made derogatory comments on Buddhism during a stand-up comedy show in early April. 

Bruno Divakara was later arrested for having shared video footage of the show on his YouTube channel ‘SL-Vlogs’, which went viral on social media. 

Meanwhile, Venerable Rajangane Saddharathana Thero who was arrested for making comments that harm religious co-existence has also been further remanded.

He was further remanded till June 21 by the Fort Magistrate’s court today. (NewsWire)

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Bruno Divakara, the owner of the YouTube channel ‘SL-Vlogs’, has been remanded until June 07, 2023.

He was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department yesterday (May 31) in connection to the controversial stand-up comedy show of Nathasha Edirisooriya. 

Earlier, Nathasha Edirisooriya was arrested and remanded until June 07th for having made derogatory comments on Buddhism during her show. 

Bruno Divakara has been arrested for having shared video footage of the show on his YouTube channel ‘SL-Vlogs’, which went viral on social media.

He was apprehended by the Criminal Investigations Department after being questioned for over eight hours yesterday. (NewsWire)

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Lakmal Weerasuriya and Sahan Arosha, the creators of the popular YouTube channel ‘Lakai Sikai’, have filed a complaint with the Police over threats to their lives. 

The complaint was lodged by the wife of Lakmal Weerasuriya at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today.

Weerasuriya’s wife told the media that they have been continuously receiving life threats after pictures of the duo having attended the stand-up comedy show by Sri Lankan comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya made rounds on social media. 

Stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya was arrested and remanded until June 07th for having made derogatory comments on Buddhism during her show.

Lakmal Weerasuriya and Sahan Arosha, who were invited as guests for the show, have been targeted on social media for having attended the show.

Weerasuriya’s wife told the media that several threats were allegedly being made against them on social media platforms, while they have also received threats via telephone calls. 

Stating that they are being harassed for an offence they have not committed, she added that a complaint has been filed with the Police to take action against those sharing malicious statements against them. (NewsWire)

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Divaina newspaper claims that the Sri Lanka Police have launched a probe to identify individuals who had applauded the alleged derogatory statements made by local stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya during a recent comedy show.

Nathasha Edirisooriya was arrested yesterday and remanded until June 07th for having made derogatory comments on Buddhism.

According to the report, the Police have launched investigations to apprehend those who had applauded and laughed along to her statements.  

Pointing out that the statements were made intentionally, the Police said the probe will also focus on identifying the individual who had advised the comedian on the matter.  

The Police have also warned of the possibility of further arrests taking place in the future in connection to the incident.

Many on social media have questioned under what law the Police are questioning people who had laughed along during the show.  

However, the Police are yet to officially confirm the Divaina report pertaining to the possible arrests. (NewsWire)

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