Gunawardena and Another v. Pathirana O.I.C., Police Station, Elpitiya and Others – sllr 1997 volume 1 page 265

In the case between Gunawardena and Another (petitioners) and Pathirana O.I.C., Police Station, Elpitiya and Others (respondents), the court addressed the question of whether the seizure of a political booklet, the arrest, and detention of the petitioners constituted violations of fundamental rights under Articles 13(1) and 14(1)(a) of the Constitution. It was held that the police, acting upon a complaint without properly scrutinizing the allegedly obscene and illegal booklet, unlawfully arrested and detained the petitioners, resulting in a breach of their fundamental rights. Reaffirming the centrality of freedom of speech and the requirement for police authorities to act with due diligence and fairness, reliance was placed on constitutional provisions and judicial precedent. The ruling un