Piyasiri and Others v. Nimal Fernando, A.S.P. and Others – sllr 1988 volume 1 page 173

In the case between Piyasiri & Others (plaintiffs) and Nimal Fernando, A.S.P. & Others (defendants), the court addressed the issue of whether the arrest of customs officers by police on suspicion of bribery was lawful under Article 13(1) of the Constitution. It was determined that the police, acting on vague suspicion and without providing the required information on the reasons for arrest, had violated the plaintiffs’ constitutional rights. The holding reaffirmed the principle that an arrest must be based on credible evidence and informed procedural compliance, referencing the Constitution, the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, the Bribery Act, and pertinent case law. The decision emphasized that deprivation of liberty may result from any restriction of freedom, not solely physical restrain