Police state fears grow as Sujeewa Senasinghe says FR cases have fallen to record lows, warning public trust in courts is collapsing.
Police state concerns were raised in Parliament after MP Sujeewa Senasinghe warned that Fundamental Rights cases before the Supreme Court have fallen to a record low.
Senasinghe said the sharp decline is unprecedented in Sri Lanka’s history and described it as a dangerous sign that the country is moving toward a police state.
Addressing Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara, the MP presented data and statistics to support his warning.
FR Cases Fall To Historic Low
According to Senasinghe, the number of Fundamental Rights cases before the Supreme Court had previously stood at around 400 and 300 in earlier years.
However, during the first five months of 2025, that number had fallen to an extremely low level of just 25.
He said even if another 35 cases are filed during the remaining seven months of the year, the annual total would reach only around 60.
That, he pointed out, would be the lowest number recorded in Supreme Court history.
Senasinghe said this clearly shows that the public is significantly refraining from seeking judicial recourse.
Trust In Courts And Legal Practice Under Strain
Explaining what he described as the structural reasons behind the collapse, Senasinghe said people spend large sums of money and time seeking justice through the courts.
However, he alleged that the practice of summarily rejecting, or “throwing out”, cases without proper consideration has completely damaged public trust.
The MP said that in such a deplorable situation, where justice is not served, even some leading lawyers who practiced through Fundamental Rights cases in the Supreme Court have been forced to abandon that professional practice.
Citing a personal experience, Senasinghe said one case had been dismissed without a hearing in just five minutes.
He said another case before a different bench is now being successfully heard, with all rights being recognized.
Police State Fears And Global Comparisons
Senasinghe said the Supreme Court is the last refuge for ordinary poor people, state officials, and police officers facing injustice and oppression.
He said it is where citizens can stand against the powerful, senior officials, or political authority.
The MP warned that denying people even that last resort pushes the country toward lawless rule.
“This is a very dangerous situation. This is a sign of a police state. This is how it is in Russia, this is how it is in Venezuela, this is the situation in other lawless countries,” Senasinghe said.
He emphasized that the Chief Justice must immediately respond to what he called the decline of the judicial system.
Judicial Appointments And Political Pressure
The MP also recalled earlier statements made by Senior President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsekularatne and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka regarding the protection of judicial independence.
Senasinghe said judicial appointments and transfers must follow a system based on proper seniority and transparency.
He warned that such decisions should not be made according to political needs or the personal agendas of rulers.
He added that even the Bar Association has pointed out the risk of judges being manipulated according to the needs of those in power.
SOURCE:- HARIDESHAYA.LK
