The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka ruled on 22nd of May that the Walasmulla Police violated the fundamental rights of four members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses religious group when they were arrested without any valid reason during religious proselytising activities.
The petitioners—Kalyani de Silva, Mala Malkanthi, Nirupa Anthony, and Ama Liyanage—had filed a case claiming they were verbally abused by a Buddhist monk and local residents while sharing their faith in Walasmulla on 29th of Octomber 2014.
Despite calling the police for protection, the officers allegedly joined in the verbal abuse and proceeded to arrest the four without justification.
The Supreme Court found the arrests unlawful and determined that the police failed to provide any valid grounds at the time of arrest.
The Court ordered S.J.B. Suwaris, the Officer-in-Charge of the Walasmulla Police at the time, to personally pay Rs. 50,000 in compensation to each petitioner.
Additionally, the State was directed to pay Rs. 25,000 to each petitioner as further compensation.
The judgment was delivered by a three-judge bench after reviewing the events and evidence presented in the case.
The incident highlights serious concerns about religious freedom and police conduct in Sri Lanka.
