Collecting Bank account details, violation of privacy, court says

[TamilNet, Thursday, 03 July 2008, 01:40 GMT]
Sri Lankan Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, while presiding over a Fundamental Rights submission on Monday, said that privacy of individuals was fundamental and warned those responsible for abuses such as asking for bank account numbers from civilians during search operations. Counsel M.A. Sumenthiran had submitted to court that directions given by the court were not being carried out during search operations. The CID officers were asking for bank account numbers from the civilians during the operation.

The three member bench of the Supreme Court chaired by Sarath N. Silva took up the FR petition filed by the CWC against the discriminate arrest of Tamils in Colombo for further inquiry. The other members of the bench were Justices Nihal Gamini Amaratunge and K.Sripavan.

The CWC has cited Sri Lankan Defense Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defense Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka Army Commander Sarath Fonseka, Sri Lanka Air Force Commander Roshan Gunatilake, Sri Lanka Navy Commander Wasantha Karanagoda and the Inspector General of Police and four others as respondents.

Meanwhile, civilians arrested in search operation carried out in Wellawatte area last Saturday were detained for long hours.

Police had given them forms printed only in Sinhala.