The lawyer was charged for installing the horn with the said tune on his car during a memorial held at Galle Face Green to remember the lives lost, and those who were injured during the Aragalaya people’s struggle.
Colombo Additional Magistrate M. S. Prabhakaran strictly warned the Fort Police to understand the law before filing a case against anyone.
Thus, the court ordered the release of Attorney-at-Law Dushmantha Weeraratne.
President’s Counsels Saliya Peiris, Sarath Jayamanne and other counsel making submissions to the court said that the Lawyer in question had tooted his horn against the unlawful arrests by Sri Lanka Police, and noted that the constitution of Sri Lanka has given the right to the citizens to express their dissent towards the government.
Defense Counsel also told the court that the sitting President and Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had also protested against governments when they were in the opposition.
They added that charging the lawyer for excess sound completely violated the Fundamental Rights that have been confirmed by the Supreme Court in the Jana Ghosha Case.
Written by Zulfick Farzan/ 14 Sep, 2022 .