The Supreme Court yesterday (14) ordered Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon and three other police officers to pay a compensation of Rs. 2 million out of their personal funds to an individual for violating his fundamental rights, while being detained at the Mirihana Police Station.
The Supreme Court held that four police officers, including Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon have violated the fundamental rights of petitioner W. Ranjith Sumangala by his illegal arrest, detention and subjection to torture at the Mirihana Police Station, which was under the supervision of Deshabandu Tennakoon in 2011.
A private party, Ajith Wanasundera (a retired Sergeant Major of the Army) who was involved in the matter was also held liable and required to pay compensation.
The State was directed to pay a compensation of Rs.100,000 to the petitioner.
The Supreme Court further directed authorities including National Police Commission to take disciplinary action against all police officers including Deshabandu Tennakoon.
Senior Counsel Viran Corea with counsel Sarita De Fonseka and Thilini Vidanagamage appeared for the petitioner while Senior State Counsel Induni Punchihewa appeared for Tennakoon and the Attorney General.
The judgment was delivered by Justice S. Thurairaja with Justices Kumudini Wickremasinghe and Priyantha Fernando agreeing.
(Lakmal Sooriyagoda - Daily Mirror)
