Gnanasara Thera pulls out FR petition

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera yesterday (22) withdrew his Fundamental Rights petition in which sought the Supreme Court to prevent the Police from arresting him over several charges.

The Bench comprised of Chief Justice Priyasath Dep, Justices Upaly Abeyrathne and Vijith K.malalgoda.

Tirantha Walalaliyadde PC instructed by Shashika Mithuna Arachchi appearing for the petitioner informed Court that most of the grievances prayed for in the Petition had been rectified and moved to withdraw the Rights Petition.

Court on June 14 fixed the Petition for support yesterday (22) for granting of leave to proceed with his petition.

Petitioner cited OIC of Organised Crimes Prevention Division and three others as Respondents.

He sought the Court to grant Interim Order preventing the Police from arresting him until the investigation against him was concluded and advice of the Attorney General was obtained. He stated that there is an islandwide search for him to apprehend him and a number of Police teams had been deployed islandwide for this purpose.

He stated in his Petition that the Organised Crimes Prevention Division (OCPD), which was conducting an investigation linking him to inciting communal disharmony, was preparing to arrest him without any proper investigation and due process.

He had filed his petition for the alleged violation of his Fundamental Right to equality and freedom from arbitrary arrest as well as the right to the freedom to enjoy and promote his own culture and to use his own language.