The Court of Appeal has issued an order, instructing the Weeragula Police not to relocate the alleged drug trafficker, Sanjeewa Kumara Samaratne, also known as Ganemulle Sanjeewa, without obtaining consent from the Attorney General.
Furthermore, the court directed the Attorney General not to advise the police to move Ganemulle Sanjeewa until the next scheduled hearing.
This directive was given by a two-judge bench of the Court of Appeal, comprising Justices Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Shashi Mahendran. The order was made in response to a writ petition filed on behalf of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, seeking measures to ensure his safety while detained under police custody. The order remains effective until February 27.
Elannona Mendis, the mother of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, filed the petition, naming the OIC of the Weeragula Police Station and several others as respondents. Former Attorney General Palitha Fernando PC, representing the petitioner, requested an order to safeguard the detainee's life during his custody at the Weeragula Police Station.
Deputy Solicitor General Shanil Kularatne, appearing for the Attorney General, objected to the request, citing its ambiguous nature and stating that the relief sought by the petitioner cannot be granted.
In her petition, the petitioner highlighted media reports describing instances where suspects were killed by authorities under the pretext of a struggle during weapon recovery attempts. The petitioner expressed concern over the safety of individuals in police custody, citing examples like the assassination of Kosgoda Tharaka, both during detention and after release on bail.
Ganemulle Sanjeewa was arrested on September 13 last year at Katunayake International Airport upon his arrival from Kathmandu, Nepal. He is alleged to have attempted to flee the airport using a false passport.
