Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne vs S.H.S. Thusitha Kahagalle – CA WRIT APPLICATION NO. 0479/2023-2023

In the case between Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne (alias Harak Kataa) and, inter alia, the Inspector-General of Police, Deputy Inspector-General, and Attorney General (representing the Minister of Defense), the court addressed the lawfulness of detention orders issued and extended under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979. It was held that the writ application challenging the multiple detention orders, including those dated 15/03/2023, 13/06/2023, and 10/09/2023, was to be dismissed. The court reaffirmed that for prolonged or fresh detention under the PTA, sufficient material must be submitted before the Minister of Defense or the petitioner must be produced before a competent Magistrate. The reasoning emphasized both subjective and objective safeguards i