BASL urges IGP to follow due process while making arrests

• It has received complaints from its members relating to arrests and detentions being carried out in a manner akin to abductions
• Persons so arrested have been taken away in unidentifiable vehicles and kept for several hours at undisclosed locations

by Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has requested the IGP to immediately ensure that all arrests are carried out strictly according to procedures established by law. 
 
In a letter, BASL has urged the IGP that the relevant instructions be given to all police officers to follow the due process. 
  
The BASL stated that it has received complaints from its members relating to arrests and detentions being carried out without adherence to due process in a manner akin to abductions. The BASL also said it has received complaints from its members and the Colombo Magistrate’s Court Lawyers’ Association on the arrests of persons by police officers dressed in civilian clothing and without possessing any identification.  

The BASL stated that persons so arrested have been taken away in unidentifiable vehicles and kept for several hours at undisclosed locations. On these occasions no receipts of arrest have been issued nor an opportunity given to the persons arrested to inform relatives, friends or lawyers of their whereabouts. The BASL maintained that on these occasions the suspects have been deprived of access to Attorneys-at-Law or the Human Rights Commission for a few hours.