The Bar Association has called upon relevant authorities including the IGP and the Attorney General to conduct an immediate inquiry into the alleged incident of a group of police personnel attached to the Peliyagoda police station assaulting a final year student of the Law College.

“In this respect, it is the considered position of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka that all officers on duty at the Special Crimes Unit of the Peliyagoda Police on the night of 25th February should be subjected to identification immediately,” said a BASL release signed by its President Kalinga Indatissa PC and Secretary Rajeev Amarasuriya.

Full text of the BASL media statement: It was brought to the attention of the BASL this morning that Migara Gunaratne, a Final Year Law student had been brutally assaulted by several officers attached to the Special Crimes Unit of the Peliyagoda Police on the night of the 25th of February when he attempted to carry a parcel of food to his brother’s client who was being detained by the Police.

The BASL condemns this brutal attack on Migara Gunaratne.

This incident cannot be taken in isolation as on a previous occasion his brother Mr. Charitha Gunaratne who is an Attorney-at-Law was obstructed by the Police in carrying out his professional services.

Since of late, incidents of this nature by the Police have escalated.

It is the position of the BASL that there is no room and there must be zero tolerance for Police brutality whether it is against a member of the profession or any other person. Persons cannot be treated like this which is a violation of the very Law the Police is expected to protect.

The BASL has called upon the relevant authorities including the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General to conduct an immediate inquiry and disciplinary action to be taken against the said officers and also importantly, for legal action be taken against all such officers by initiating respective Criminal Prosecutions. In this respect, it is the considered position of the BASL that all officers on duty at the Special Crimes Unit of the Peliyagoda Police on the night of 25th February should be subjected to identification immediately.

The BASL will be closely monitoring this matter and the steps that are taken to ensure that the Rule of Law and Due Process is upheld.”