Legal experts question police conduct over sharing of suspects’ videos

27 October 2025 07:32 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 18 Bookmark

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Colombo, Oct. 27 (Daily Mirror) - Legal experts have raised serious concerns over the conduct of the police in sharing videos of suspects on mainstream and social media following their arrests, warning that such actions could undermine ongoing investigations and future prosecutions.

Former President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) Saliya Pieris, in a Facebook post, emphasised that arrests and criminal investigations must be carried out strictly in accordance with the procedure established by law.

He observed that “parading suspects before the media, obtaining voice cuts from them, and circulating those clips on media and social media platforms may thrill certain sections of the public, but will not help the prosecution once the trial begins.”

Pieris described such actions as “childish acts” that fail to enhance the image of the police and are ultimately counterproductive.

“It calls into question the professionalism of investigators and brings disrepute to the entire system,” he added.

Attorney-at-Law Wasantha Sri Watagoda, commenting on Facebook, also criticised the practice, stressing that suspects who are to be produced before an identification parade under Section 124 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act should not be publicly exposed.

He noted that a suspect’s face should remain covered until the identification parade is completed to ensure that the evidential value of the process is not compromised.

“Such premature exposure can undermine the integrity of the identification process,” Watagoda stated.

He further reiterated that, under the Evidence Ordinance, any confession made to a police officer cannot be proved against an accused person, underscoring the need to adhere strictly to due process.

Meanwhile, a source from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) told the Daily Mirror that the BASL Executive Committee (ExCo) will convene soon to discuss the issue and announce its official stance.

Comments - 18

Aquarius Monday, 27 October 2025 07:43 PM

Agree with the questioning as those involved behind the recording and social media upload should be taken to task. Not sure why the police is suddenly using the social media to promote their duties. May be there is some monetary gain when passing this kind of information on social media. The IGP need to step in to prevent this practice that can jeopardise the legal process.

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Dan Monday, 27 October 2025 08:01 PM

He is very much worried about the rights of underworld criminals. He didn't even utter a word about the policeman at Mt Lavinia courts.

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mohan Tuesday, 28 October 2025 07:05 AM

this can happen to u and me

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Terrence K Tuesday, 28 October 2025 08:05 AM

Does the public want to see this drama of criminals being hounded taking place when there are more important matters that this government has not fulfilled and by this they are trying diversionary tactics to avoid the pressing problems like the cost of living, energy, education problems etc. People of your calibre who have nothing better to do will like to see on tv. these interrogations but in a weeks time you will not remember anything. Try reading some novels by great writers and the satisfaction is manifold instead of killing time in this political drama. Since you cherish this type of drama if possible see some cassettes of the atrocities committed by the JVP/NPP which happened in 1971, 1980, 1989 and you will understand how brutal some of the present day legislators were to TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC which includes bombings robbing of banks, targeting temples etc. since criminals were excluded because they were the criminals!!!!!!!!

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dinesh Tuesday, 28 October 2025 09:13 AM

shows your understanding of right and wrong...unfortunately, with people like you, we dont need a judiciary,, police can be the judge jury and executioner...until someday when you become the victim of that police...

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S P Tuesday, 28 October 2025 10:37 AM

What we discuss here is not just the rights of individuals. It’s about how decent governments all around the world behave. Under those governments police investigations are just that. Genuine investigations quietly done behind scenes to bring the culprits to justice independent of the government. They are not used to build up the image of people in power e.g. via media circuses or to harass the political opponents. We elected this government to put a stop to this primitive behaviour and change the ‘system’. But what has happened is we don’t see that professionalism, respect or the decency expected of them - be they the officials, politicians in power or the followers.

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pradeep Monday, 27 October 2025 08:31 PM

It may not have been the police, but rather someone present at the scene who committed the act. Regardless, it should not have happened. However, what appears to be acceptable to you is a senior lawyer publicly abusing a police officer and obstructing him from performing his duties.

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Vincent Kajjah Monday, 27 October 2025 09:33 PM

Legal experts can go to heaven or hell - their choice - we all saw how they all behaved after the video showing the bull-in-the-china-shop act of that senior lawyer. If a common guy acted inside the court premises that way, what would have happened? So don't try get on the moral high horse now after getting caught with the hand in the pie. You ARE part of the problem!

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Victim's Voice Monday, 27 October 2025 09:45 PM

Lawyers who danced the devil inside and outside the Magistrate Court when Ranil was prosecuted are talking. Now pathale assassins are also above the law? Speak loud about drug barrons and their assassins without always thinking of your pockets. BTW pay your exact tax with honesty.

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maha Monday, 27 October 2025 09:47 PM

over estimated their duty

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Ram P Tuesday, 28 October 2025 03:26 AM

This is a serious issue for the IG

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Wenda Lawyer Tuesday, 28 October 2025 05:35 AM

Despite his personal opinion about Drug dealers, the comments are true

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Indra Dasa Tuesday, 28 October 2025 05:57 AM

All law enforcement officers and agencies must follow the set protocol when questioning and conducting legal action against suspects . All of those law enforcement officers needs to educated in this regards by the senior staff .

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Lawry Tuesday, 28 October 2025 06:44 AM

The culprits or suspects were taken into custody within 3 days of the assanination. This is commendable. THe brilliant work of the police is unmatched. The suspects identity should not be exposed obviously. The HIP should intervene.

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dinesh Tuesday, 28 October 2025 09:11 AM

sri lankan police dont know their job, they think they are action movie actors, so these things happen...as no punishment is also given, they carry on doing it...a unprofessional service for an unprofessional public...much like the politics was, this will also take time to cleanup...

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Pansilu Tuesday, 28 October 2025 09:37 AM

It is an another teledrama of present government

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B P Tuesday, 28 October 2025 09:42 AM

Police is doing these as promotional activity of the government as these are the only work happen under the government.

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Yohan Tuesday, 28 October 2025 09:55 AM

Npp drama. This guy may not be the real suspect. lol

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