Amaratunga v. Sirimal and Others (Jana Ghosha Case) – sllr 1993 volume 1 page 264

In the case between Amaratunga (petitioner, SLFP member and Pradeshiya Sabha member) and Sirimal and Others (police constables representing the State), the court addressed the issue of whether the petitioner’s fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 14(1)(a) of the Sri Lankan Constitution was infringed by police during the suppression of the Jana Ghosha protest. It was determined that the police had no lawful basis to disrupt the peaceful protest or to believe a breach of the peace was imminent. The suppression resulted solely from the protest’s criticism of the Government. The holding reaffirmed the constitutional protection of peaceful public dissent and criticism of government action under freedom of expression. Reference was made to constitutional principles