Killings of suspects in police custody: BASL urges IGP to explain his failure to protect suspects

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday called upon the IGP to explain his failure to protect the suspect who was in police custody.

Issuing a statement, the BASL has strongly condemned the media reports that a suspect had been shot dead in Kalutara on Friday (26) morning while being taken to recover hidden weapons.

The BASL observed that the responsibility for these killings must lie not only with the persons who carried out the killings but also all those who command them and those who failed to ensure the safety and security of the suspect. 

The BASL statement said on the night of 25th November 2021, Attorney-at-law Sanjaya Ariyadasa had contacted the 
President of the (BASL to inform him that he has instructions that a client by the name of H.L. Lasantha alias Tinkering Lasantha had been apprehended by the officers of the Kalutara Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau and that he has information 
that his client will be killed in custody by the police under the pretext of it happening during a shoot-out whilst being taken to show weapons.

Following this information, the President of the BASL had informed the same to the Inspector General of Police via email and text message. He further informed the Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission (HRCSL) in charge of Inquiries and Investigations as well as the Director Inquiries and Investigations of the Commission. As an additional measure, the President of the BASL also informed the Governor of the Northern Province Jeewan 
Thiyagarajah who also heads the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA) of this information.

The BASL noted that previous incidents too have not been investigated properly and no action has been taken by the authorities to bring the culprits to justice leading to allegations of a climate of impunity. Such failures have resulted in the whole process of administration of justice being called into question and the loss of public confidence in its efficacy.

The BASL further noted that this killing comes at a time that Sri Lanka's human rights record is under scrutiny and there are threats of consequences to the country and its economy as a result of the deteriorating human rights situation.

This statement had been issued under the signature of BASL Secretary Rajeev Amarasuriya.(Lakmal Sooriyagoda