Attorney General Confirms New Police Guidelines On Disclosing Complaint Content

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court that the Acting Inspector General of Police has issued a circular to all police stations, outlining the proper procedure for informing individuals about the content of complaints when they are summoned to provide a statement.

This update was provided during the hearing of a fundamental rights petition filed by energy expert Vidura Ralapanawa against the Computer Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The petition was heard before a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Achala Wengappuli and Sampath Wijeratne.

Respondents named in the petition include Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon, a Deputy Inspector of Police from the Computer Crimes Division, and the Officer-in-Charge of the same division, among others.

The petitioner stated that he was contacted by an officer from the Computer Crimes Division via telephone, requesting a statement regarding a comment he had posted on social media.

He further claimed that upon asking for details about the complaint and its contents, the officer refused to provide any information. The petitioner argued that this lack of transparency constituted a violation of his fundamental human rights.

He requested the Court to rule that the respondents had infringed upon his rights by failing to disclose the nature and content of the complaint.

During the hearing, the Attorney General informed the Court that, in accordance with a prior undertaking given by the police, the Inspector General had issued a circular detailing the procedure for informing individuals about complaints. This circular has now been distributed to police stations across the country.

The petitioner’s legal counsel expressed satisfaction with this development and stated that, in light of the circular, the petition could be concluded.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court decided to terminate the proceedings.