Police request for arrest warrant rejected

(February 16, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge of Anuradhapura yesterday rejected a request made by the police to issue an order to arrest former UNP MP P. Harrison, the Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Raja Maha Vihara, Walawahangunawewe Dhammarathana Thera and several others.
This decision was take by the magistrate when the Anuradhapura police submitted a 'B' Report to court stating that during a protest launched against the arrest of General Sarath Fonseka in the Anuradhapura town recently, a certain group had inflicted damage on buildings belonging to the office of the chief minister of the North Central Province.

Police had sought permission from court to apprehend former UNP MP P. Harrison; Opposition Leader of the North Central Province, Kasthuri Anuradhanayake; Provincial Counillor Anura Dissanayake; Anuradhapura Urban Councillor Indika Aruna Kumara and the Chief incumbent of the Mihintale Raja Maha Viharaya Walawahangunawewe Dhammarathana Thera.

The Chief Magistrate asked the police if they had in their possession the necessary evidence to proceed and police responded by saying that despite not having clear evidence to prove this fact, it was said that this group had been responsible for organising the protest.

At that point, the Chief Magistrate asked police on who's instructions steps had been taken to carry out the arrests despite the lack of evidence.

The magistrate then ordered the police officer who had given instructions to appear before court and provide an explanation.