Sisira Kumara Wahalathanthri and Dannister Gunasekara Vs. Jayantha Wickramaratne and Others – SC FR/768/2009-2015

In the case between Sisira Kumara Wahalathanthri Puhulyay and Dannister Gunasekara (Petitioners) and Jayantha Wickramaratne (Inspector General of Police) and others (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of alleged violations of fundamental rights under Articles 12, 13, and 14 of the Constitution, focusing on freedom of speech and personal liberty. The court held that the conduct of the police, including the arrest of the 2nd Petitioner following the display of a political banner, amounted to a violation of constitutional rights, as the banner’s content did not constitute an offence under Section 120 of the Penal Code or Section 74(1) of the Provincial Councils Elections Act. The principle was reaffirmed that legitimate political criticism is protected expression under the Constituti