Petition filed to quash IUSF Convener’s arrest, detention

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an order quashing the arrest and detention order of Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) Convener Mudalige Wasantha Kumara who is currently being held at a detention centre in Tangalle.

The petition was filed by Attorney-at-Law Rivihara Pinnaduwage on behalf of Wasantha Kumara.

The petition has cited Defense Secretary Retired General Kamal Gunaratne, IGP C.D. Wickramaratne, Criminal Investigations Department(CID) Director SSP Kavinda Piyasekara, Director SSP Prasanna Alwis, Peliyagoda Police OIC C.I. Kaluwitharana and the Attorney General as the respondents.

The petition says that the arrest of Mudalige on August 18 and thereafter his detention under a purported Detention order under the Prevention of Terrorism Act issued by President Ranil Wickremasinghe in his capacity as the Defence Minister is unlawful.

The petition seeks order quashing the arrest and detention order as unlawful.

The petition also seeks an interim order suspending the Detention Order until the final determination of this application.