Muthuwahennadi Roshan Koitex v. Sub Inspector Sanjeewa Seneviratne et al. – SC FR 158/2008-2016

In the case between Muthuwahennadi Roshan Koitex and others (petitioners) and Sub Inspector Sanjeewa Seneviratne, Police Constable Suranga, Officer-in-Charge (Hikkaduwa Police), and others (respondents), the Supreme Court addressed alleged violations of the petitioners’ fundamental rights under Articles 11, 12(1), and 13(1) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka. It was held that acts by police officers constituted torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, and unlawful arrest, contravening constitutional guarantees. The findings reaffirmed that State officials, especially police, bear individual and vicarious liability for such violations, as established under constitutional and prior judicial authority. The decision emphasized that sufficient evidence had established the claims, and appropriate