The Law Students’ Union has called on authorities to hold a thorough investigation into the alleged assault on a Final Year Student of Sri Lanka Law College, Migara Gunaratne, by a group of Peliyagoda police personnel.

A statement signed by President of the LSU, Samadhi Gamalath and General Secretary, Vimukthi Karunaratne says: The Law Students’ Union joins with many across the nation in deploring the latest incident of police brutality committed against Migara Gunaratne and in calling out for justice. We stand with the victim of this recent violence and we grieve for his family, the community, and our nation. It is our firm belief that unnecessary brute force by sworn-in, law-enforcement officers were committed against him, who was unarmed or posed no threat at the time of incident.

It may be noted that this incident is added to a very long list of police brutality in our nation over many decades and it is rapidly increasing each day. It is clearly imperative at this point to state that these incidents are the product of improperly trained law-enforcement officers, who lack education, training or experience dealing with citizens or lack basic human discipline. Indeed, law enforcement is part of the very fabric of life, and it undoubtedly impacts on virtually every institution and sphere of activity. Therefore, we are of the collective opinion that this particular incident must be dealt with swiftly and necessary action should be taken to prevent repetition of the same.

A thorough investigation must be conducted in regard to this case where law-enforcement officers have inflicted severe physical harm, leading to serious injury, and any of the law-enforcement officers involved, who have committed such wrongful acts of police brutality, must be held accountable. We are of the collective opinion that this particular incident must be dealt with swiftly and necessary action should be taken to prevent repetition of the same.

Furthermore, we call on the State Leaders, Bar Association of Sri Lanka and all other relevant authorities to commit or recommit themselves to changing this system and the attitudes and practices that perpetuate it. We must speak out when the essential human dignity of anyone is denied. As the Law Students Union of Sri Lanka, we unequivocally condemn this unlawful act of violence that in many ways impacts on the values that we are taught to and intend to uphold as Law Students and detrimentally affects the dignity of the noble profession that we aspire to step into, one day.

Every individual has the right to liberty and security. All persons have dignity. The police brutality must stop!

Fiat justitia ruat caelum – Let justice be done though the heavens fall!