Colombo, Sri Lanka — The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ruled that the fundamental rights of a restaurant owner in Midigama were violated by seven officers of the Excise Department, ordering them to pay compensation from their personal funds.
The judgment, delivered on the 11th, directed the seven officers named as respondents to pay a total of Rs. 525,000 to the petitioner within three months Rs. 75,000 each.
The petition was filed by Dinesh Priyadarshana Dodangoda, the owner of a restaurant in the Midigama area. He alleged that between January 2 and January 4, 2023, he was unlawfully arrested, assaulted, and subjected to inhumane treatment by Excise officers.
According to the petitioner, CCTV footage of a disturbance outside his restaurant showed several individuals assaulting his employees. He stated that a group of men, identifying themselves as law enforcement officers, forcibly entered the premises and assaulted him using batons and a broom. He further alleged that he was blindfolded with a bedsheet, had his hands tied behind his back, and was interrogated under duress.
The petitioner also informed the Court that he was repeatedly questioned regarding bottles of whisky found in his possession during the incident.
The case was heard before a bench comprising Justices Menaka Wijesundara, Janak de Silva, and Sampath B. Abayakoon. Delivering a unanimous decision, the bench held that the actions of the Excise officers violated the petitioner’s fundamental right to equal protection of the law under Article 12(1) of the Constitution.
The Court found all seven respondents R.A.N.J. Ranaweera, G.D. Pushpakumara, W.M.D. Indika, M.D. Gamage, Iresh Kavinda, J.A.G.M. Madushanka, and P.T.C. Ekanayake personally liable for the violation and ordered them to compensate the petitioner.
It is also reported that the Human Rights First Aid Media Center assisted the petitioner in preparing the necessary documentation for the case.
Legal representation for the petitioner was provided by Attorney-at-Law Hafeel Faris, with Shannon Thilakaratne appearing on the instructions of Niluka Dissanayake. Additional Solicitor General Lakmali Karunanayake appeared on behalf of the Attorney General.
The ruling is being viewed as a strong reaffirmation of constitutional protections against abuse of power and underscores the accountability of law enforcement officials for violations of fundamental rights.
