The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ruled that the human rights of former Gampaha Superintendent of Police, P.A. Lakshman Cooray, were violated during his arrest and detention over the assassination of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle.
The judgment was delivered on July 25 by Justice A.H.M.D. Nawaz, with Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando concurring.
Cooray, who had been held in Boossa Prison under orders from the Defense Secretary, filed a fundamental rights petition in 2010 through his counsel, Manjula Balasuriya.
The court determined that several officers of the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) had violated Cooray’s constitutional rights under Articles 11 and 13(2), which protect against torture and unlawful detention.
Compensation Ordered
The Supreme Court ordered the government to pay Cooray Rs. 30,000 as compensation.
Additionally, four police officers were directed to pay personal compensation:
- Two TID officers must each pay Rs. 300,000.
- Two others were ordered to pay Rs. 200,000 each.
14 Years Behind Bars
Cooray had been remanded under the draconian PTA since August 12, 2009, without sufficient legal grounds. His detention spanned nearly 14 years. His case is still dragging on.
The arrest came in connection with the 2008 suicide bombing that killed Minister Fernandopulle and 16 others during a sports event in Weliweriya.
Acquitted After Trial
Despite initial charges, the Gampaha High Court later acquitted Cooray and Selvarajah Thirubakara. The judge ruled that the prosecution failed to establish their involvement beyond a reasonable doubt.
President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris represented Cooray during Supreme Court proceedings.
(c) SLB