Unconditional Apology in Court: Senior Police Officials Admit Role in 2022 Protest Incident

COLOMBO (News 1st); Three police officers, including the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of the Galle area at the time, today tendered an unconditional apology before the Supreme Court to a group of lawyers over an incident in which police disrupted a peaceful protest held near the Galle Fort during the 2022 economic crisis.

The case relates to a fundamental rights petition filed by two Galle-based lawyers, Ajith Kumara and Amaradivakara Liyanage, who alleged that their fundamental human rights were violated when police intervened in the protest.

The matter was taken up before a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Sampath Wijeratne.

The petition named as respondents the then Deputy Inspector General in charge of Galle, K.N.G. Wedasinghe, the then Senior Superintendent of Police for the area, and the Officer-in-Charge of the Galle Police Station.

All three officers appeared before court during today’s hearing.

Representing the respondents, a State Counsel informed court that the officers were extending an unconditional apology to the petitioners over the incident.

The counsel further stated that a written letter of apology would also be submitted to the court on behalf of the respondents.

President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris, appearing for the petitioners, informed the court that his clients accepted the apology.

After recording the settlement, Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena addressed the respondent police officers.

"The complaint by the lawyers related to unlawful actions that had occurred on the day of the incident.The petitioners had appeared before court from Galle and should be appreciated for coming forward to settle the matter, Such relief is not easily obtained."

Following the settlement, the Supreme Court decided to conclude the hearing of the petition.

Here's a background to the Incident.

According to the petition filed through Attorney-at-Law Manjula Balasuriya, the incident took place on July 6, 2022, during the height of the country’s economic crisis.

On that day, a group of lawyers had staged a peaceful protest near the Galle Fort, displaying placards as part of their demonstration.

However, the petitioners alleged that police officers forcibly intervened at the location, disrupting the protest and tearing down the placards.

The lawyers subsequently sought a ruling from the Supreme Court declaring that their fundamental rights had been violated by the actions of the respondents.