A Sri Lankan aviation student who spent nine months in detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) over a social media post has been acquitted by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court.
Mohamed Suhail, 21, from Mawanella, was first arrested in October 2024 near the Israeli consular premises in Dehiwala, initially for not carrying his national identity card. Although released shortly after producing the document, he was re-arrested under the PTA for allegedly sharing an image on Instagram showing the Israeli flag being trampled.
The case drew widespread attention amid growing concern over the use of the PTA — a law frequently criticised by human rights groups for enabling arbitrary detentions and suppressing free expression.
Appearing for Suhail, Attorney-at-Law Ilham Hassanali of the Lawyers for Social Justice organisation told the court that police investigations had found no evidence of a criminal offence. He urged the court to dismiss the case, calling continued proceedings “an injustice.”
The Lawyers for Social Justice have since filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court, alleging violations of Suhail’s constitutional rights during his detention. The court has issued notices in that case. Suhail was granted bail in July 2025 after spending nearly nine months in custody.
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