The Supreme Court has ruled that the arrest and detention of former Western Province Governor Azath Salley under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in 2021 was illegal.

The Court also ordered the respondents to pay Rs. 75,000 in compensation to the plaintiff.

Among the respondents in the case were former Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara and the then Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Salley was arrested on 16 March 2021 under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 (PTA) for remarks he made at a press briefing on 9 March 2021, which were allegedly capable of “inciting strife among religious groups.” After spending nearly nine months in detention, Salley was acquitted of all charges by the Colombo High Court on 2 December 2021.