Sri Lanka, June 16 -- Attempts by the government to hunt down political party leaders and activists under the guise of contempt of court allegations drew strong condemnation from the Free Lawyers organisation.

The organisation points out in a statement that the actions of the Criminal Investigation Department to obstruct the freedom of expression of party leaders and political activists Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Dilith Jayaweera, Mahinda Pathirana, Asanka Navaratne, and Sugishwara Bandara can by no means meet approval. The organisation emphasizes that no legal provision exists for the police to file or maintain a case for contempt of an independent court under the Contempt of a Court, Tribunal or Institution Act, No. 8 of 2024....