SC grants leave to proceed in FR petitions filed by children who were allegedly coerced by the CID

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court granted leave to proceed in four Fundamental Rights Petitions filed by four children, all under the age of 14, who have alleged that they were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department and forced to sign confessions to falsely implicate attorney Hejaaz Hizbullah in acts of terrorism.

The bench comprised Justices Murdhu Fernando, Priyantha Fernando, and A.M.D. Nawaz

The petitioners, all children, were represented by Geoff Alagaratnam PC, Farman Cassim PC, attorney Shantha Jayawardena, and attorney Nuwan Bopage.

Speaking to News 1st Farman Cassim PC said the children were taken in for questioning in April 2020.

He said the children allege that the CID took them by force and held them alone for up to 12 hours without their parents.

Cassim said the children also allege that they were coerced to stating facts which were false, specifically by showing photographs of attorney Hejaaz Hizbullah and asking them to identify him as the person who provided them with weapons training.