Police accused of violating journalist's fundamental right to work

In a FR petition to the Supreme Court, Sunday Leader journalist Arthur Vamanan Swarnalingam requested the court to rule that his arrest by the CID on 24 October was illegal.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), a group of CID investigators and minister Mano Wijeratne were cited as respondents.

'Sinhala only' statement

Swarnalingam who was remanded on 25 October was quetioned by the CID on suspicion of asking a ransom not to publish an article related to the minister.

Minister Wijeratne, a member of the opposition United National Party (UNP), was offered a portfolio after defecting to Mahinda Rajapaksa administration.

Journalist Swarnalingam was released on bail the next day by Mt. Lavinia magistrate.

'Treated like terrorist'

The petitioner who is an ethnic Tamil says that his request to make statement in Tamil or English language was rejected by the CID who took his photographs and recorded his fingerprints.

Arthur Vamanan Swarnalingam says he did not commit any criminal or terrorist act ' to be treated like a criminal'.

Arguing that the police has violated his right to work as a journalist, the petitioner has demanded a Rs. 10 million compensation from the CID.