Keerthi Ratnayake, a defence and political analyst attached to Lanka e-News today filed a Fundamental Rights petition challenging his arrest and the detention.
Keerthi Ratnayake was arrested for allegedly giving information to the Indian High Commission in Colombo concerning a possible terrorist attack.
The Petitioner states that he was previously employed as a Flying Officer attached to the Sri Lanka Air Force.
The petitioner said he received information from an Indian national who lives in India, who is having connections with the National Investigation Agency of India, that there is a possibility of having a terrorist attack to the High Commission of India in Colombo on the 15th of August 2021, which is the Independence Day of India.
The Petitioner states that he was terrified and shocked by the information and as a responsible person he informed the Head of the Political Division of the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, by way of a WhatsApp message on the 12th of August 2021.
Ratnayake states that thereafter, he became aware that the concerned WhatsApp message sent to the Head of the Political Division has been reported by the Indian High Commission in Colombo to the Government of India and thereafter, the Government of India has requested the Government of Sri Lankan to strengthen the security of the Indian High Commission in Colombo and other consulates in Sri Lanka.
He further said two officers attached to Peradeniya Police station had visited his house and has informed his wife to notify him to report to the Kollupitiya Police station for a Police inquiry on the 14th of August 2021.
The Petitioner has visited the Kollupitiya Police Station on the 14th of August 2021. He said he was taken to the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) and held in custody and a statement was obtained. The petitioner claims that he was arrested without informing the reason for such arrest.
The Petitioner states that on the 17th of August he was informed that a Detention Order was issued by the President under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
He alleged that up to date he has not been produced before a competent Court of Law nor any detention order was showed and that there is no credible material produced or otherwise which illustrates that there was any act committed in violation of the PTA.
The petitioner is also seeking an order directing the respondents to release him from incarceration.
The petitioner has cited OIC of KollupitiyaPolice Station, OIC of CCD, OIC of Gang, Robbery and Homicide Bureau of CID, CID Director, Inspector General of Police, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence,
Minister of Public Security and several others as respondents.
