A Sri Lankan soldier that was detained for a over a year as a suspect in the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickramathunga, has been awarded compensation after the Supreme Court found his rights had been infringed.
The soldier, K. Priyawansa, was attached to the Intelligence Unit, and challenged the legality of his arrest, decision to detain him and his prolonged detention.
Priyawansa argued that his detention, which came as a result of being added as a suspect in the Lasanatha murder case, had violated his fundamental right to equality and to freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention.
The Supreme Court awarded him Rs 100,000 in compensation.
Read more on the Daily Mirror.