Mahinda Rajapaksa v. Kudahetti and Others – sllr 1992 volume 2 page 223

In the case between Mahinda Rajapaksa (plaintiff) and Kudahatti and Others (defendants), the court addressed the issues of alleged infringements of fundamental rights under Articles 14(1)(a) (freedom of speech and expression) and 13(1) (freedom from arrest) of the Constitution. The matter involved the petitioner’s claim that the search and seizure of documents at Katunayake Airport unlawfully curtailed his ability to present his case at an international meeting, and that his temporary detention constituted an unlawful arrest. It was held that the items seized were only of evidentiary value and were not essential to the petitioner’s presentation, and that the sequence of events at the airport did not constitute an arrest or unlawful deprivation of liberty. Relief was accordingly dismissed,