Sunil Rodrigo (On Behalf of B. Sirisena Cooray) v. Chandananda De Silva and Others – sllr 1997 volume 3 page 265

In the case between Sunil Rodrigo (on behalf of Mr. B. Sirisena Cooray) and Chandananda de Silva and others, the court considered whether the detention of Mr. B. Sirisena Cooray under Emergency Regulation 17, based on unverified intelligence, was constitutional. It was held that the detention and arrest were unlawful, as the procedure required by Articles 13(1) and 13(2) of the Constitution—specifically, the need for arrest according to law, explicit communication of the reason for arrest, and prompt production before a judge—was not observed. The judgment reaffirmed that executive actions under emergency regulations must conform to fundamental rights and proper legal procedure. Relief was granted with an order for Mr. Cooray’s immediate release and compensation, emphasizing that vague or