The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) strongly condemned the use of force and violence by the police armed forces last night to remove the protestors at Galle Face and in the vicinity of the Presidential Secretariat. 

The BASL announced that it was aware that the armed forces arrested protestors, including at least one lawyer and several journalists. 

BASL President Saliya Pieris PC stated that several lawyers informed him of an attack on the protestors at the Galle Face near the Presidential Secretariat. He said he is aware that several people, including Attorney-at-law Nuwan Bopege taken into custody. 

“I have also been told of people having been assaulted. The authorities must ensure the safety of everyone, and their whereabouts must be made known,” Pieris said.

The BASL President said that unnecessary use of brute force will not help this country and its international image.

It is apparent that hundreds of military personnel and police had blocked the access roads to Galle Face and prevented the public from entering the area. 

Attorneys-at-Law who tried to enter the area had been prevented from doing so by security personnel. The BASL has been informed that at least two Attorneys-at-Law who sought to intervene in their professional capacity had been assaulted by service personnel. Video footage also shows unarmed civilians being assaulted by the security forces, the BASL statement added.

The BASL has demanded an immediate halt to the unjustified and disproportionate actions of the Armed Forces targeting civilians. 

The BASL also demanded that President Ranil Wickremesinghe ensure that he and his government respect the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights. The use of the Armed Forces to suppress civilian protests on the very first day in office of the new President is despicable and likely to have serious consequences on our country’s social, economic and political stability. 

The BASL calls for an immediate inquiry into the incidents and disciplinary action against all persons involved. All those involved, including those who gave orders on the same, must be held accountable.