Since the Sri Lankan citizens are given freedom of speech under Article 14 (1) of the Constitution, they cannot be remanded for expressing opinions based on factual information, Colombo Additional Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrema had told CID today (22).
She made this statement, according to the News 1st, when the CID opposed granting bail to trade union activist Ananda Palitha.
Palitha was arrested yesterday (21) by the CID over his statement on 19 August that Sri Lanka has fuel resources only for 10 days.
When he produced before the Coutt today, the CID said that Palitha should not be released on bail as he could make statements that would disrupt the lives of the people again.
NewsFirst reported that Srinath Perera PC who appeared for the suspect had pointed out that Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila has stated that there is a fuel crisis in the country. Therefore, it is not wrong for Ananda Palitha to make such a statement based on facts, he had told the Court.
The case will be taken up again on 29 September.