Supreme Court Rules Ranil Wickremesinghe Violated Fundamental Rights

 

 Past Allegations Resurface

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has declared that the State of Emergency declared by Ranil Wickremesinghe in July 2022, while serving as Acting President, violated the fundamental rights of citizens. The decision followed petitions by several civil society figures, including Ambika Satkunanathan, former Human Rights Commissioner.

This ruling adds renewed scrutiny to Wickremesinghe’s track record on human rights. Shortly after assuming office, he ordered a violent military and police crackdown on peaceful protesters who had been camped at Galle Face Green, demanding political accountability during Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis in decades.

Additionally, allegations have long shadowed Wickremesinghe over his alleged role in facilitating the Batalanda torture chamber during the 1988–89 JVP insurrection—accusations that have never been fully addressed in court but remain part of his controversial political legacy.

These developments raise serious concerns about accountability, civil liberties, and the use of state power against dissent.