The Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with a fundamental rights petition filed by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) over the death of Charith Dilshan Dayananda, a second-year Technology Faculty student of Sabaragamuwa University, who died by suicide after allegedly facing a serious new situation involving fresh torture.
The petition, filed by BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya and Secretary Chathurana Galhena, was taken up before Supreme Court Justices Yasantha Kodagoda and Janak de Silva.
The Court issued several interim orders, directing:
- The Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney General to submit a report on all cases of fresh torture investigated or currently under investigation under the Prevention of Fresh Torture Act.
- The University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education to report on disciplinary measures taken in state universities regarding incidents of fresh torture.
- The Victims and Witnesses Protection Authority to take necessary steps to ensure the safety and rights of affected students at Sabaragamuwa University.
The petition has been fixed for hearing on April 29 next year.
The respondents named in the case include the Sabaragamuwa University, its Vice-Chancellor and Governing Council members, the Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education, the Secretary to Defense, the IGP, the CID OIC, the Attorney General, and 69 others.
