Amarasena and Another v. Jayaratnem, Officer-In-Charge, Mt. Lavinia Police Station and Others – sllr 2003 volume 1 page 385

In the case between Amarasena and Another (petitioners) and Jayaratnem, Officer-in-Charge, Mt. Lavinia Police Station and others (respondents), the issue considered was whether the petitioners’ arrest and overnight detention by police constituted a violation of fundamental rights under Articles 11, 13(1), and 13(2) of the Constitution. It was determined that while the arrest, use of force, and initial detention were within lawful and reasonable bounds due to mistaken identity and an ensuing altercation, the continued detention exceeding the reasonable period breached Article 13(2). The court reaffirmed the principle that detainees must not be held beyond the constitutionally mandated period without judicial sanction. Reliance was placed on constitutional protections for liberty and precede