Police Officer Apologises Over Comedian's Arrest

COLOMBO (News 1st); A former head of the Computer Crime Investigation Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today expressed regret before the Supreme Court regarding the arrest of comedian Natasha Edirisooriya under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act, following allegations that she had insulted Buddhism.

The State Counsel submitted to court a written statement from the former officer apologising for the incident. 

The State Counsel also informed the bench that the Inspector General of Police has decided to issue a set of guidelines to prevent any unlawful actions when making arrests under the ICCPR Act. The petitioning party had expressed agreement with this decision. 

The guidelines are expected to be circulated to all police stations within two days.

The matter was taken up during the hearing of the fundamental rights petition filed by Edirisooriya, who argued that her arrest and remand order under the ICCPR Act violated her basic human rights.

The case was heard before a three-judge Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justice Shiran Gunaratne, and Justice Achala Wengappuli.

Both petitioner Natasha Edirisooriya and respondent, former Computer Crime Investigation Unit head S.M.U. Subasinghe, were present in court. 

During the proceedings, the Chief Justice informed the petitioner in open court, that the respondent had formally expressed his regret regarding the incident.

The Chief Justice also noted the petitioner’s willingness to resolve the matter amicably before the court. 

After considering all submissions, the bench decided to conclude the hearing of the fundamental rights petition.

In his letter to the court, the former division head stated that he deeply regretted the arrest on 27 May 2023 and the subsequent remanding of Edirisooriya until 5 July 2023, adding that if the episode had caused any damage to her reputation or emotional distress, he wished to convey his sincere apology.

Natasha Edirisooriya had been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake by the CID’s Computer Crime Investigation Unit over remarks she made during the 2023 comedy programme “Modabhimanaya”, which authorities alleged amounted to insulting Buddhism.

She was later produced in court and remanded under the ICCPR Act, before being granted bail on the orders of the Colombo High Court.

Following this, she filed her fundamental rights petition before the Supreme Court, leading to today’s proceedings and the formal conclusion of the case.