The Supreme Court today dismissed the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed by former UPFA Parliamentarian Sajin de Vass Gunawardena challenging his arrest and detention.

Gunawardena, who was arrested and remanded for allegedly misusing vehicles belonging to the President Secretariat Office, in the petition had claimed that his arrest and detention was illegal. 

Gunawardena was arrested and remanded for allegedly misusing vehicles belonging to the President Secretariat Office.

However, presenting objections to the petition, the Attorney General pointed out that Gunawardena was arrested and remanded in connection with the misuse of 20 vehicles belonging to the Presidential Secretariat. 

The state prosecutor appearing on behalf of the Attorney General informed the court that sufficient evidence was gathered before the former MP’s arrest and that proper procedure was followed when arresting him. 

Therefore the arrest is not in violation of any fundamental rights, the attorney stated. 

After considering the facts submitted by both parties, the three-member judge bench headed by Justice K. Sripavan declared that the incident was not a violation of fundamental rights and therefore rejected the PF petition.