The BAR Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has raised concerns over the actions of the law enforcement authorities, regarding the recent courthouse shooting and the deaths of two suspects involved in a recent shooting in Kotahena.
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.
It further requests the Acting IGP to take all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such serious incidents of encounter killings and custodial deaths.
BASL has also emphasized the need for the Police to take all necessary action against officers who are responsible for the culture of custodial deaths and extrajudicial killings to ensure that such incidents are eradicated from society. (Newswire)
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