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BASL writes to President on next IGP

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It is of “utmost importance” that the next Inspector General of Police of Sri Lanka “should be an officer whose service in the police force is exemplary and free of any blemish and able to restore public confidence in the Sri Lanka Police,” stated the Bar Association of Sri Lanka in a letter addressed to President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The BASL letter has been issued in response to news that the office of the IGP is due to fall vacant on the 23rd of March, 2023.
“During the last few decades there has been a serious erosion of public confidence in the Sri Lanka Police. The lack of independence, politicisation, police brutality, custodial deaths, lack of professionalism have all contributed to the erosion of public confidence in the Police. The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) is of the view that public confidence in the Police is vital for the administration of justice and the rule of law,” the BASL writes.

Citing the case of Mohammed Rashid Fathima Sharmila v K.W.G. Nishantha and others SCFR 398/2008- S.C.M. 03.02.2023, the BASL stated that the Supreme Court observed that the police have lost the credibility it ought to have:

“It only highlights the utterly unprofessional approach to duty by the personnel who man it and as a consequence, people are increasingly losing trust in the police. It had lost the credibility it ought to enjoy as a law enforcement agency. The incident relevant to this application had taken place in 2008, however, this court observes that instances of death of suspects in police custody are continuing to happen, even today.” (Aluwihare J)

The BASL urged that no officer who has pending Fundamental Rights or criminal cases against him or any allegations of involvement in unlawful activity be appointed to the office of the IGP.

The BASL letter concludes by urging the President “that the appointment of the Inspector General of Police (and all other appointments to key offices) be done in a transparent manner so as to establish public confidence in the appointment process.”

The full letter of the BASL is as follows : 

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I had nothing to do with Asgiriya brothel: Sanoja Bibile

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Veteran actress Sanoja Bibile said that she had nothing to do with the brothel that was operated at the address ‘Hansavila’, no: 144, Sumangala Road, Asgiriya in Kandy.

Ms.Bibile said this in response to the article titled ‘Statement to be recorded from Sanoja over brothel raided in Kandy!’ published on Sri Lanka Mirror website.

She said that the property in question belonged to four people including her mother and siblings. However, in April 2022, it had been rented out to an individual by the name A.G. Samantha Asela Kumara.

At the time of the raid conducted by the police, Samantha Asela Kumara was the occupant of the house. 

She said that the property was rented out on April 11 last year with the consent of her mother and siblings.

The lease contract is shown below.

Ms.Bibile also said that the electricity bill of the rented out property was not in her name but in the name of her mother D.R. Nalini Padmavathi Bibile.

The electricity bill is shown below.

We regret any inconvenience caused to Sanoja Bibile due to the previous article published by Sri Lanka Mirror.

Related news:

Statement to be recorded from Sanoja over brothel raided in Kandy!

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Sri Lanka receives first tranche of IMF bailout

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The Ministry of Finance has received the first tranche of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF)  form the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Accordingly, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardena confirmed that USD 333 million was received by the Ministry today (23).

He stated this during a meeting held in this regard with President Ranil Wickremesinghe  and the Heads of media institutions.

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Best anti-corruption law in S.Asia will be passed in Parliament this year   

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the necessary steps will be taken to pass the best anti-Corruption Act in South Asia in Parliament soon.

The President revealed that the cabinet approval for the Bill has already been granted and said that he will discuss it with the Opposition representatives in the future and present it to the Parliament.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said this during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat today (23) with the heads of media organizations. 

President Wickremesinghe said : 

“This process is very difficult. We all feel it. This is a four-year process. It will end in 2026. Those who were with me over a long period and supported these policies are now speaking against me. So is it a big thing for those who were against me to support me? We must remember one thing. We are in a difficult place now. We can’t play the old games again. If we do that, we will fall again. Let’s forget the old games and the past and move forward.”

“We all made mistakes. At least now agree with this and support us. This money we received will be used to pay the salaries this month. It’s not stealing. These were lost because of the allegations of theft. Don’t spread such stories. These people who point fingers steal more than this. My salary is lower than those of you here. We need to change attitudes.”

“They accused me of coming to protect thieves. But we are bringing the best anti-corruption bill in South Asia in consultation with the IMF. The opposition’s shouting did not bring anything. The Minister of Justice is also discussing this with the opposition.”

“We presented this to Parliament to get the support of all parties. No one can oppose this. Some new laws have also been introduced. We have taken several new steps.”

“We do not want to suppress the media. I hear the most criticism from the media. I also lost the media. I am the one who removed the criminal law imposed on the media. I was the one who gave the right to know the information. Independent commissions were brought to Parliament three times. So how do I suppress the media?”

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