Deputy Minister of Justice Sujeewa Senasinghe filed a Fundamental Rights petition today on the recent incident where he had allegedly obstructed a police sergeant and verbally assaulted him.

 

Senasinghe, in his petition, said that on July 15, at about 9.45pm, he was on his way to an election meeting at Habarakada with a group of supporters. A police sergeant had questioned the driver of a vehicle in his convoy which had sound equipment. The police sergeant had tried to arrest the driver saying that it was illegal to use the sound equipment.

 

However, Senasinghe claims in his petition that necessary permission had been given by the Elections Commissioner.

 

Senasinghe claims that he was on another vehicle at the time of the incident. He had pointed out to the policeman that he had the necessary permission.

 

Senasinghe also claims that the policeman was under the influence of alcohol at the time. He said that he called Mirihana Police SSP to conduct a squad visit to ascertain the matter. However, police did not carry out a visit, Senasinghe claims.

 

Senasinghe said that the policeman had later lodged a false complaint against him.

 

He requests the Supreme Court to order the IGP to carry out disciplinary action against the police sergeant.