The Attorney General’s Department informed the Supreme Court today that 31 suspects, including several former Members of Parliament, have been identified in connection with the violent attack on the GotaGoGama protest site at Galle Face on 9 May 2022.

Senior State Counsel Sajith Bandara, representing the Attorney General, made the disclosure during the hearing of five Fundamental Rights petitions filed by protestors over the incident.

Bandara told the court that the Attorney General expects to file indictments shortly against all 31 suspects under the Criminal Procedure Code. The attack, which targeted peaceful demonstrators, was among the most violent episodes during the 2022 protest movement.

The petitions allege that the police failed to prevent or control the attack, thereby violating the fundamental rights of those gathered at the site. Counsel for the petitioners argued that the incident was aggravated by the inaction of police officers on the ground, despite their significant presence and the availability of water cannons.

Responding to these submissions, Senior State Counsel Bandara acknowledged that although a large contingent of police officers had been deployed, they were not effectively utilised at the time. He confirmed that legal action is being taken against then Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who was the most senior officer present, for dereliction of duty.

The petitions were heard before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, Justice Shirani Gunaratne, and Justice Achala Wengappuli.

The Attorney General’s Department assured the court that investigations have progressed and that indictments will be filed in due course.