Thavarasa and Two Others v. Gunasekera and Others – sllr 1996 volume 2 page 357

In the case between Thavarasa and two others (Petitioners) and Gunasekera and others (Respondents), the court addressed the issue of whether the arrest and detention of the Petitioners, who were alleged to have committed election offences including pasting posters, obstructing the police, and an attempted shooting, violated their fundamental rights under Articles 13(1) and 13(2) of the Constitution. It was held that there was insufficient evidence to establish a violation of the Petitioners’ fundamental rights and that police acted within their lawful authority in making the arrests and subsequent detentions. The applications were dismissed, and costs were imposed on the Petitioners. The decision reaffirmed the principle that state officials acting under statutory powers and supported by c