The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka issued its findings and
recommendations on 12 June 2025, in Case No. SUO MOTU-08-25. The case
concerned the arrest and detention of Mohamad Liyaudeen Mohamed Rusdi
under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the subsequent
issuance of a restriction order against Mr. Rusdi. Mr. Rusdi was
arrested and detained by the Counter Terrorism and Investigation
Division (CTID) of Sri Lanka Police on 22 March 2025. A detention
order was issued against him by H.E. the President in his capacity as
Minister of Defence on 24 March 2025. The primary allegation against
Mr. Rusdi was that he had displayed two stickers at the shopping
centre Colombo City Centre, containing the phrase ‘Fuck Israel. End
Apartheid’, that he was allegedly associating with ‘members of
extremist or terrorist organisations’, and that, in the opinion of the
CTID, he held ‘extremist’ views and could potentially commit offences
under the PTA in the future. Owing to the lack of evidence that he had
committed any offence under the PTA, the detention order against Mr.
Rusdi was suspended, and he was released on 7 April 2025 subject to
certain restrictions contained in a restriction order issued by the
Minister of Defence.

The Commission held an inquiry into this matter on 10 April 2025 and
21 May 2025 at which Mr. Rusdi and his representatives and officers of
the CTID were provided an opportunity to make submissions and answer
queries raised by the Commission. Following the completion of the
inquiry and a thorough review of the documentation provided by the
CTID, the Commission issued its findings and recommendations with
respect to this case on 12 June 2025.

Read More:

HRCSL Press Notice 13062025

HRCSL Recommendation _HRC-1072-25