BASL President says police protection not in keeping with court order

Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) President Upul Jayasuriya on Friday said that he was not satisfied with the response shown by the police in providing him with security, in keeping with a court order.“I requested that two police officers travel in my vehicle with me. However, they have not provided that and instead, deployed persons in civvies around my office and residence,” Mr Jayasuriya told a news conference at the BASL head office in Hulftsdorp.

“I am puzzled with the attitude and reaction shown by the police on this matter,” he added.

The BASL’s Executive Committee (ExCo) moved court seeking police protection for Mr Jayasuriya, after he complained to the police about a series of incidents last month that have caused concerns regarding his security.

The circumstances that prompted BASL’s ExCo to move court was that there have been a large number of instances where private citizens too have been granted such security as provided for under Section 22 of the Police Ordinance, it said.

The BASL president alleged these included an instance where the brother of a criminal from Wanathamulla, had been granted security with six guards, upon an understanding given by a DIG in the Magistrate’s court.

He said, however, police denied similar security that has been sought by the legal fraternity which has a membership of over 15,000.

“We asked court for a type of protection, which is to send two officers with me in my vehicle. That has not been done, but according to the police, officers have been placed wearing civil clothing near my residence and office. I have seen these officers,” he added.

“The only threat posed to me at the moment is that my vehicle is being followed. The police have evidence that two persons followed me on a motorbike. This they presented to court as well.”

On Monday, Western Province Senior DIG Anura Senanayake told Colombo Magistrate courts that he had decided to refrain from conducting investigations into the BASL President’s complaint, as the BASL president had raised some doubts pertaining to his involvement in the matter.

The DIG added that, due to the trust and confidence people had placed in him, he could easily secure over 300,000 preferential votes from the Colombo District, if he contested an election.

He added that, people would also approve of him serving the Police Department even for 100 years, if he lived so long.