Civil society activist Chirantha Amarasinghe has, in a letter to the Secretary to the Public Security Ministry, Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne (retd.), raised a contentious issue of law enforcement authorities obtaining information pertaining to telephone calls, without court intervention.
Amarasinghe has released his letter, dated 14 July, 2025, to the media. The civil society activist quoted the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission as having told him that a special arrangement is in place for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to secure required telephone details without obtaining court permission.
The police obtained information, pertaining to his phone, following a complaint lodged by former Bishop of Mannar, Rev. Emmanuel Fernando, regarding his criticism of the Bishop extending a warm welcome to the then President Ranil Wickremesinghe on 16 June, 2024, in spite of the UNP leader’s failure to ensure justice for Easter Sunday victims.
Urging the Public Security Ministry to stop the despicable practice forthwith, Amarasinghe, in terms of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, has sought from the Secretary to the Ministry all documents pertaining to the launch of operation to secure telephone details without court approval. (SF)