Colombo, Sri Lanka – July 30, 2025 — The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ruled that the former Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Hasalaka Police Station violated the Fundamental Rights of a woman who was arrested and detained over a clothing design.
The woman had been taken into custody for wearing a garment bearing a ship’s wheel, which police officers mistakenly interpreted as the Dhammachakra — a revered Buddhist symbol. The incident sparked concern about religious misinterpretation and abuse of police authority.
In its judgment, the Supreme Court held that the police officer’s actions were arbitrary, unlawful, and amounted to a clear infringement of the woman’s constitutionally guaranteed rights. The court emphasized the duty of law enforcement officers to act within the framework of the law and to exercise discernment, particularly in matters involving cultural or religious symbols.
The ruling serves as a precedent in affirming the protection of individual freedoms and sends a strong message about the need for responsible conduct by police officers in interpreting cultural or religious imagery. The Court is expected to outline compensation and further directives in its detailed ruling, reinforcing the principle that errors of judgment leading to unlawful detention cannot be excused by ignorance or misinterpretation.
The decision has been welcomed by civil rights advocates and legal professionals who have long called for increased accountability in law enforcement and better training in cultural sensitivity.
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