Sri Lanka, March 21 -- The Supreme Court has awarded Rs.230,000 as compensation to a businessman in Morontuduwa for arresting him on a false charge of possessing cannabis in 2011.

The SC ruling said the Moronthuduwa police in Kalutara had violated fundamental rights of a businessman when he was arrested and detained on the false charge of possessing 500 grams of cannabis in 2011.

The Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Justice Buwaneka Aluvihare, Justice Vijith K. Malalgoda and Justice Murdu Fernando observed that police had planted evidence against the petitioner, forcibly obtained his fingerprints on the productions which had nothing to do with him and caused the petitioner to remain in custody for over two months for an allege...