A Fundamental Rights petition filed by Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen, who was at the centre of the controversy surrounding the alleged sterilization of female patients, was dismissed today by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court’s three-judge bench, comprising Justices Vijith Malalgoda, Yasantha Kodagoda, and Arjuna Obeysekera, refused to grant leave to proceed with the petition when the matter was taken up for support.
Attorney Rushdie Habeeb, filing this petition on behalf of Dr Shafi Shihabdeen, named Inspector Pushpalal, Officer-in-Charge of Crime Division, Kurunegala Police Station, the Officer-in-Charge, Kurunegala Police Station, CID Director, IGP Chandana Wickremaratne, the Defense Ministry Secretary, and the Attorney General as respondents.
The petitioner challenged the arrest and detention of Dr Shafi Shihabdeen under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979. The petitioner maintained that there was no basis on which one could form a reasonable suspicion justifying the arrest of Dr. Shihabdeen with regard to any offence, and in particular with regard to any offence or unlawful activity defined and made punishable under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
