The Supreme Court has ruled that Acting Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon and three other police officers must collectively pay Rs. 2 million in compensation, sourced from their personal funds, to an individual who suffered a violation of his fundamental rights during detention at the Mirihana Police Station.
The court found that four police officers, including Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, infringed upon the fundamental rights of petitioner W. Ranjith Sumangala through his unlawful arrest, detention, and torture at the Mirihana Police Station in 2011, under the supervision of Deshabandu Tennakoon.
Additionally, private party Ajith Wanasundera, a retired Sergeant Major of the Army involved in the matter, was deemed liable and ordered to contribute to the compensation.
The State has been directed to pay a separate compensation of Rs. 100,000 to the petitioner.
Representing the petitioner were Senior Counsel Viran Corea, along with counsel Sarita De Fonseka and Thilini Vidanagamage. Senior State Counsel Induni Punchihewa appeared for Tennakoon and the Attorney General. The judgment, delivered by Justice S. Thurairaja, received agreement from Justices Kumudini Wickremasinghe and Priyantha Fernando.
