News

BASL concerned over killings & custodial deaths

Published

2 months ago

February 24, 2025

editor

The BAR Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has raised concerns over the recent death of a suspect within a courtroom as well as the two suspects of the recent ‘Kotahena shooting’ being shot by the police during an alleged confrontation.

Expressing grave concern over the spate of incidents, BASL said in a statement that this poses a grave threat to the rule of law of the country.

“It is imperative that the law enforcement agencies, namely the Police and Prison Authorities, exercise great caution and act with utmost responsibility to prevent such incidents, as such would tend to erode public trust in the legal system,” it said.

Stating that extrajudicial killings can never be a solution in confronting an increase in criminal activity, BASL said crime can best be curbed when there is adherence to the rule of law by the state.

BASL has called on the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) to launch an immediate impartial inquiry to investigate how the suspects were killed at the hands of the Police and to take all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such serious incidents of encounter killings and custodial deaths.

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News

“Reports of Wijepala – Nissanka meeting, fake”

Published

8 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

The Public Security Ministry has denied media reports claiming that the Public Security minister – Ananda Wijepala had met Nissanka Senadhipathi.

The Minister’s media secretary had clarified this in a letter to Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya.
Adding that the neither the Minister or a representative had ever met Senadhipathi as claimed, the letter calls for proper investigations into the fake news and legal action against those responsible.

News

Special allowance for policemen on duty at ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’

Published

12 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

A special transport allowance and a combined allowance will be provided to police personnel assigned to ensure the safety of devotees attending the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Siri Dalada Vandanawa) in Kandy, the police said.

The measure has been taken over the instructions of the Acting IGP, in consideration of the fact that these police personnel will be on continuous day and night duty for over 10 days, away from their regular stations and incurring additional personal expenses.

News

Ravi K’s Bill to repeal Online Safety Act, gazetted

Published

12 hours ago

April 18, 2025

editor

The Bill to repeal the Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024, and other regulations concerning the Act, has been gazetted.

The Online Safety Bill was passed by a majority vote in Parliament on Jan. 24, 2024.

The Bill that has been gazetted was submitted by opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake.

On Feb. 28, 2025, MP Karunanayake submitted a private member’s Bill to the Parliament Secretary-General, aiming to repeal the controversial Online Safety Act.