Ratnasara Thero v. Udugampola – sllr 1983 volume 1 page 461

Brief
In the case between Ratnasara Thero (petitioner) and Udugampola (1st respondent, Superintendent of Police, Gampaha), the court addressed whether the police seizure of printed leaflets opposing the extension of Parliament’s term constituted a violation of the petitioner’s fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 14(1)(a) of the Constitution. It was held that the seizure was not legally justified under the Penal Code, Emergency laws, or Election laws, and such action constituted an unlawful interference with the petitioner’s constitutional rights. The principle reaffirmed was that statutory powers restricting fundamental rights must be strictly justified. The decision relied upon the requirements of the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, emphasizi