By A.J.A. Abeynayaka
The Supreme Court yesterday said it would take up five fundamental rights cases filed against the attack on anti-government protesters, at Galle face Green on 09 May by SLPP supporters who had earlier gathered at Temple Trees.A number of protesters, including Lahiru Chanaka, who sustained serious injuries, have filed the petitions and the Court set the date for these cases on 22 June 2023.
The bench also sent notice to former Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, MP Namal Rajapaksa, former minister Johnston Fernando, State Minister Sanath Nishantha, SDIG Deshabandu Tennakoon, and the IGP, asking them to appear before Court.
State counsel, Shavindra Wickrama, who represented the Attorney General, urged the Court to dismiss the cases. However, the Court ruled that the fundamental rights of the petitioners have been clearly violated.