Free lawyers condemns government attempts to hunt down activists

Attempts by the government to hunt down political party leaders and activists under the guise of contempt of court allegations drew strong condemnation from the Free Lawyers organisation.

The organisation points out in a statement that the actions of the Criminal Investigation Department to obstruct the freedom of expression of party leaders and political activists Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Dilith Jayaweera, Mahinda Pathirana, Asanka Navaratne, and Sugishwara Bandara can by no means meet approval. The organisation emphasizes that no legal provision exists for the police to file or maintain a case for contempt of an independent court under the Contempt of a Court, Tribunal or Institution Act, No. 8 of 2024.

Utilising police power in this manner to silence politicians under such a background remains an immoral act, they say. Stating that this indicates the forewarnings of a police state, the Free Lawyers organisation alleges that a police officer who admitted through an affidavit to contributing actively towards bringing the ruling party into power received appointments as the CID Director and a Senior DIG on a contract basis.

Various strategies deploy through such politicised officials to harass and mute individuals who criticise the government, the statement further notes. Pointing out that partisan police activities cannot destroy those since freedom of speech gets guaranteed by Article 14 (1) (a) and freedom of conscience by Article 10 of the Constitution, the organisation emphasizes that the attempt of the police to prevent free expressions must defeat.