Chitra Weerarathne
Two employees of Nortel Lanka Private Limited, Katunayake, had filed a fundamental rights violation application, in the Supreme Court, alleging assault, illegal arrest, illegal detention and denial of their freedom of expression by officers of the Seeduwa and Katunayake police.
They had alleged that they, along with their colleagues, protested against the intention of the government to grant a pension scheme to the private sector employees. They had said that their EPF rights were at risk if a pension scheme was started.
When they were engaged in a peaceful demonstration, the police had interrupted their assembly and assaulted them. They were subsequently arrested.
Among the respondents were the Officers-in-Charge of Seeduwa and Katunayake, the DIG for the region, the IGP and the Attorney General. The petitions will be taken up on September 15, 2011.
The two petitioners are Pradeep Kumara Priyadarshana and Nalin Sanjaya Jayaweera.