Wijeratne v. Vijitha Perera, Sub Inspector of Police, Polonnaruwa and Others – sllr 2002 volume 3 page 319

The case between the petitioner (a casual worker and trade union branch secretary) and police officers of the Polonnaruwa Police addressed the legality of police actions concerning a peaceful picketing campaign. The principal legal issue was whether the search and seizure of protest posters, arrest, and detention of the petitioner constituted violations of fundamental rights under Articles 13 and 14 of the Constitution. It was determined that police acted without a warrant or consent, and that the seizure and detention infringed constitutional rights to personal liberty, freedom of speech, and assembly. The court ordered compensation and issued instructions to the police authorities to uphold the constitutional principle of the right to dissent. The decision emphasized the obligations of S