Sumith Jayantha Dias v. Reggie Ranatunge, Deputy Minister of Transport and Others – sllr 1999 volume 2 page 008

In the case between Sumith Jayantha Dias (petitioner) and Reggie Ranatunge, Deputy Minister of Transport, along with certain police officers and political affiliates (respondents), the court addressed allegations of fundamental rights violations under Articles 11, 13(1) and (2), and 14(1)(a) of the Constitution. The matter involved police assault, unlawful detention, and abuse of state power when the petitioner, engaged in news reporting, was assaulted, detained, and mistreated by state and non-state actors. The court held that the petitioner’s fundamental rights were infringed due to inhuman treatment and procedural irregularities, affirming the principle that state actors and complicit private individuals can be held liable for such violations. This determination was based on analysis of