Sri Lanka Police have asked media institutions to stop publishing or broadcasting an earlier notice that sought public help to trace a 47-year-old man wanted over several complaints of alleged sexual harassment on social media platforms.
In a clarification issued on 5 November, the Police Media Division said the Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of the Ampara Division had informed the authorities that the man had filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal seeking an order preventing his arrest.
When the matter was taken up, the Court of Appeal directed that the suspect should not be arrested until instructions were received from the Attorney General, according to the police clarification.
Police had earlier released the man’s photographs and appealed for public assistance in locating him, saying he had allegedly fled the area and that his whereabouts were unknown.
The reversal is unusual in that it required the Police Media Division to publicly retract a wanted notice it had itself circulated. The clarification does not state what prompted the Court of Appeal’s direction, nor when the Attorney General’s instructions are expected.
No findings have been made against the man, who has not been named by police. The complaints referred to remain allegations.
