The Defence Ministry has said that no one is above the law. It emphasized that if a person has violated the law, authorities have every right to arrest them and carry out investigations.
A statement by the Defence Ministry said the arrests and detention of Ruki Fernando and Father Praveen had recently generated wide coverage demanding their immediate release on the premise that they were human rights activists. It mentioned that what needs to be clearly established is that Sri Lanka is a democratic country, there are laws that govern the country and laws that are applicable to all those living in Sri Lanka. Anyone living in Sri Lanka, whether they are citizen or non-citizen are subject to the laws of the land.
The statement said that if anyone has breached the laws of the country, it is considered a criminal offence against the State of Sri Lanka.
The statement noted that the State is bound by duty to enforce the laws of the land and in enforcing these laws, if a person has violated the law, the law enforcement authorities have every right to arrest and carry out investigations. It added that no one has the right to carry out campaigns to demand their release simply by referring to them as ‘human rights activists’.
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