‘Police, media acted unethically’

Any arrest can be made in the course of an investigation into a crime, but the suspects’ identities should be kept secret until proven guilty, says lawyer Yasas de Silva.

He is making comments to Sri Lanka Mirror with regard to the arrests made in connection with the killing of the girl Seya Sadevmi of Kotadeniyawa.

Both police and the media acted unethically with regard to the suspects arrested, he said.

There should be responsible issuance of statements by the police and responsible reporting by the media, he said.

FR violation

The aggrieved schoolboy in question can file a fundamental rights petition, said the lawyer.

Sri Lanka Human Right Commission’s commissioner Dr. Prathibha Mahanamahewa said they would investigate if the boy lodged a complaint.

Police have a responsibility to prevent any damage to the image of a suspect, arrested without adequate scientific evidence, in the course of an investigation, he said.

Since Sri Lanka is signatory to international conventions on children’s and human rights, this situation could be damaging to the country, warned the commissioner.