Former Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Cyber Crime and Intelligence Analysis Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department, M.M.U. Subasinghe, today submitted a written expression of regret to the Supreme Court over the arrest of civil activist and comedian Natasha Edirisuriya under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act.
The fundamental rights petition filed by Natasha Edirisuriya, challenging her alleged unlawful arrest in May of 2023, was taken up before a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena. During the proceedings, the written expression of regret was presented to the court.
The Attorney General’s Department, appearing on behalf of the respondents, informed the court that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) will issue a circular to all police officers to prevent unlawful arrests under the ICCPR Act.
The department further stated that the circular will be issued within two weeks and that the petitioner, Natasha Edirisuriya, had reviewed the proposed guidelines and expressed her agreement with them.
Accordingly, the court ordered the respondents to inform the court by motion within two weeks after issuing the relevant IGP circular. The court also ordered the closure of the case.
Ms. Natasha Edirisuriya appeared before the open court today. Addressing her, Chief Justice P. Padman Surasena stated that the court appreciated the steps taken in resolving the matter and closing the case.
