Colombo High Court judge Aditya Patabandi granted bail to Natasha Edirisuriya, eliciting admiration and respect for the judiciary. Lawyer Prabodha Ratnayake, a human rights activist,  wrote a note on Facebook expressing gratitude and appreciation for the court's decision.

The bail hearing shed light on the issues pertaining to the abuse of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act in Sri Lanka. Judge Patabandi referred to the statements made by former Minister Rohitha Bogollagama in Parliament during the introduction of the ICCPR Act. The judge emphasized that the Act was being used to fulfill “different objectives” by various parties. 

In addition, the court took into consideration the "Rabat Action Plan" put forth by the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations. This plan played a vital role in establishing the offense under Section 3(1) of the ICCPR Act, which Natasha was accused of violating. The judge clarified that Natasha's statement did not incite national, religious, or racial hatred and should not be interpreted as such.

Lawyer Prabodha Ratnayake praised the High Court's decision, stating that it would help prevent the misuse of the ICCPR Act in Sri Lanka. The ruling sets a precedent for fair interpretation and application of the Act, ensuring that individuals are not wrongfully targeted or their freedom of expression curtailed.

The case involving Natasha Edirisuriya has been closely followed by legal experts and human rights activists, who have lauded the judge's commitment to upholding the principles of justice and safeguarding the rights enshrined in the ICCPR Act. The decision serves as a reminder of the importance of a robust judiciary in ensuring the protection of individual liberties and promoting a just society.