Arrested Katunayake FTZ workers file rights plea

Fundamental rights violation applications were filed by ten Free Trade Zone employees, who had been allegedly assaulted and arrested by the Katunayake and Seeduwa Police on May 30, 2011 when they engaged in a protest rally, demonstrating against the Bill to grant pension benefits to private sector employees.



The petitioner said that about 4,000 to 5,000 FTZ employees engaged in this rally, as they felt that the proposed Bill would endanger their savings. The demonstrations had been peaceful. But the police had used force by using fire arms and iron rods to assault the demonstrators. The petitioners had been injured and warded at the Negombo Hospital.



The petitions had alleged brutal assault and a denial of their right of association and expression. They requested the Court to declare the violation of their fundamental rights and grant them suitable compensation.



The petitioners requested the Court to direct the authorities to prosecute the police officer who brutally assaulted them.



The petitioners are Rohitha Amerasinghe and nine others.



Among the respondents are the officer-in-charge of Katunayake, Seeduwa police, the DIG of Negombo Range, the IGP and the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army.