The Supreme Court today ordered the IGP to pay compensation on behalf of the state, to two JVP members, who were arrested on January 12, 2009, in Dematagoda.

The JVP members, Joseph Silva and Chandrasena Hettiarachchi from Borella, were arrested while they were pasting posters, during a JVP poster campaign demanding an immediate stop to attacks on media.

Demotagoda Police had arrested them on the grounds that their posters were ilegal.

A three member bench comprised of Justice Priyasath Dep, Justice Sisira de Abrew and Justice Anil Gunaratne gave the decision on a Fundamental Rights petition filed by the two JVP members and directed that their fundamental rights have been infringed. The IGP was ordered to pay compensation of Rs 25,000 each to the petitioners.