The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has refused to grant leave for a Fundamental Rights petition against Eastern Province Chief ("EPC") Minister Nazeer Ahamed for allegedly verbally abusing and threatening a Naval Officer.
The incident which the petitioner alleges amounted to verbal abuse and threats occurred at the end of May and was telecast on numerous media channels. The video showed the EPC Chief Minister raising his voice at a naval officer in front of others.
The petitioner, P. Liyanaarachchi, a lawyer, was seeking an equitable order to restore the dignity and esteem of the Naval officer and also of a school girl, who apparently was accidentally hit in the face by the EPC Chief Minister during the incident.
The Supreme Court found that the petitioner had no standing to proceed with the case.