BASL writes to AG regarding allegations of indiscriminate arrests by police

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), in a letter addressed to the Attorney General, has raised concerns over the alleged indiscriminate arrests by Police in relation to the violence which occurred in the wake of the incidents of 9th of May 2022 and thereafter.

The letter stated that concerns have been raised over the partiality of the Police Department, in carrying out investigations and making arrests over incidents of violence across the country.

“The gravity of these allegations are compounded by the recent revelations attributed to the Inspector General of Police of political bias on the part of many Officers-in-Charge of Police Stations and the manner of their selection,” the letter mentioned.

The letter further listed the instances of partiality:

a) Arrests being carried out without verifying claims that the suspects were not at the scene of the crime but were elsewhere at that time;

b) Arrests being carried out of suspects without any credible material but solely on the basis of lists provided by interested parties including politicians;

c) Arrests being done solely on the basis that persons had participated in peaceful protests against the government between March and May 2022;

d) Applications for holding identification parades being made without any material against certain individuals merely for the purpose of having them remanded in custody until the conclusion of the parades;

e) Photographing suspects prior to identification parades leading to suspicions of such photographs being shown to witnesses prior to such parades;

f) The indiscriminate use of Emergency Regulations which have now lapsed to keep persons in remand custody;

Additionally, the letter mentioned that it was vital for police investigations to be independent and impartial and to be free from unlawful interferences.

“Allegations of bias against the law enforcement authorities will lead to a serious loss of public confidence and will worsen the law and order situation in the country. Such allegations will also impact on the human rights
situation in the country and could also lead to other consequences which may well affect moves to restore political, economic and social stability in Sri Lanka. We urge you to take note of the above and take urgent measures to advise the police to ensure that all investigations take place within the parameters of the law and are conducted in an independent and impartial manner,” the letter concluded.