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FR petition: Suspect given leave to proceed
By Telles Anandappa
The Supreme Court granted leave to proceed in a Fundamental Rights petition case filed on behalf of the a suspect in the killing of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

Petitioner’s lawyer Saliya Pieris told court that even after several applications he has been unable to obtain a copy of the Colombo Magistrate Court proceedings and the B-report.

The lawyer cited Colombo Crime Division Director Sarath Lugoda, CCD Director Nuwan Wedasinghe Major General Asoka Jayawardena Police Chief Chandra Fernando and the Attorney General as the respondents.

In this case the petitioner was arrested by the police on September 24 on suspicion of being involved in the killing of Kadirgamar. Mr. Sivarasa is in the business of selling SIM cards in all parts of Sri Lanka including the northeast. He was arrested on suspicion as another suspect known as Thiruchelvam had in his possession a SIM card sold by Mr. Sivarasa.

Mr. Sivarasa said suspect Thiruchelvam was a regular customer of his and that besides the sale of SIM cards he had no other connections with him.
He said when he came to the Police station on September 24 on being asked to do so; he was detained without being given any reasons.

The petitioner’s counsel said the unlawful arrest and detention violated the Fundamental Rights of the petitioner. The Bench comprising Justices S.A. Bandaranayake, T.B.Weerasuriya and N.G. Amaratunga directed the Supreme Court Registrar to obtain a certified copy of the case record including the B-report from the Magistrate’s Court.

Lawyers Saliya Pieris and Gowri Sangari Thavarasa appeared for the petitioner while lawyer Hashika De Silva appeared for the AG.
The hearing was fixed for April 26.

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