Rev. Fr Jeevantha Peiris with draws FR petition

A fundamental rights petition filed by the Rev. Fr. Jeewantha Peiris was today withdrawn by himself before the Supreme Court.

In his petition, Fr. Jeewantha Peiris, who became an active participant in the "GotaGoGama" protest, sought an order preventing police and tri-forces from arresting him regarding the Galle Face protest incidents.

President's Counsel Rienzie Arsekularatne, appearing for the petitioner, sought the court's permission to withdraw the petition since his client has been released on bail by the Magistrate's Court. He said his client no longer wished to proceed with this application.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court three-judge bench comprising Justice Priyantha Jayawardena, Justice Yasantha Kodagoda and Justice Arjuna Obeysekera allowed the petitioner to withdraw the petition. The petition was dismissed accordingly.

Fr. Jeewantha Peiris has been released on bail after being surrendered before the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court in connection with three cases filed against him.

The petitioner states he joined the "GotaGoGama" protest on or about April 09, 2022, and thereafter he became an active participant in the protest in order to bring justice to the people who were made to suffer by the government led by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The petitioner states that after the "GotaGoGama" was destroyed by armed forces, he came to know from the evening television news broadcasts of July 25 that the police had obtained a travel ban against him.