News
Raid on website, arrest of employees sans legal basis: Mangala
View(s):Although the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested the employees of the Lankaxnews news website claiming that they had published articles defaming the President no such article had been submitted to the Magistrate to prove their claims, stated UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera in his rights plea to the Supreme Court.
Mr. Samaraweera filed the rights application n the Supreme Court against the arrest on June 29 of the two employees of the official website of the UNP, along with seven employees of the SriLanka mirror website, whose office is also located on the ground floor of the same building..
The petitioner further stated that the CID had not produced evidence to prove that articles published in the website caused public unrest as charged. Thus, he argued that the arrest of the employees of his website was illegal and in violation of his rights.
The UNP Parliamentarian stated that the CID arrested the employees solely relying on Section 118 of the Penal Code dealing with publishing of articles defaming the President, a piece of legislation repealed ten years before – in 2002.
Mr. Samaraweera noted that the Supreme Court did not make orders requiring websites in Sri Lanka to register as claimed by the CID. He alleged thereby the CID had misrepresented facts to Court and misled the magistrate into believing that the Supreme Court had ordered the registration of websites.
Mr. Samaraweera also alleged that the seizure of equipment including computers and the arrest of employees was done with the intention of disrupting the activities of the opposition website, which highlighted corruption and carried articles constructively criticizing the Government.
He also pointed out there is no complaint made by the public against the website except for the Police. He stated that his counsel had told the Magistrate that the CID could not proceed with the case as the CID could not initiate investigations on its own accord.
Mr. Samaraweera stated that the arrest of the employees and seizure of the equipment were in violation of his ‘Right to Equality and Equal Protection before the Law’ as guaranteed by the Constitution since the employees of the petitioner’s website were arrested upon a charge which was not in operation in the legal system of the country while providing false information to the magistrate. He sought compensation of Rs. 50 million.
Mr. Samaraweera cited CID computer division OIC, IP Senarathne, OIC CID, the Director CID the IGP and the AG as respondents.
Attorney-at-Law Saliya Pieris settled the petition.
Related Posts:
US expresses concern over raid on website officeThe United States yesterday reiterated its concern over what it called “the blocking of news websites, intimidation and disappearance of ...
Ferdinandez to make statement on July 16Ruwan Ferdinandez, whose name had been mentioned in the reports filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with ...
Raid on two websites: Computer info still being analysed, say PoliceThe data obtained from the computers confiscated by the CID during the raid of two news websites - SriLanka Mirror ...
Stay order till July 20 on Jaffna MagistrateThe Court of Appeal issued a stay order preventing the Jaffna Magistrate from taking any action against the ‘Uthayan’ newspaper ...
Opposition on the offensive as Govt. found wantingIt’s not often that the Opposition gains the upper hand in Parliament these days, being both outnumbered and outwitted by ...