Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

Lawyers hold protest over threats to BASL president

- BY T. FAROOK THAJUDEEN

The members of the Bar Associatio­n of Sri Lanka (BASL) at a meeting yesterday denounced the gunshots fired near the Nawala residence of BASL President Wijedasa Rajapakshe.

After the meeting they staged a protest march outside the Supreme Court.

The lawyers said they would not soft pedal the campaign against the attempts to undermine the independen­ce of the judiciary.

The Police are capable of solving any crime within a short period and in bringing the suspects to book.In this instance the same police are acting differentl­y

Counsel Shibly Azeez PC, Srinath Perera PC, Manohara De Silva and Jeffery Alagaratna­m PC addressed the members and said BASL members have shed their political and other difference­s to join together in their struggle against the violence perpetrate­d on the independen­t judiciary and on the people.

They said the Police were capable enough to solve any crime within a short period and in bringing the suspects to book. However, they said in this instance it was sad to notice the same police acting in a lackadais- ically manner where certain investigat­ions were concerned.

They said the President is not only the leader of one party but the entire citizenry and thus he is legally bound to safeguard the citizens. They said they are even ready to face death as their struggle was not for the sake of any individual but for the sake of the entire citizenry and the future generation.

 ??  ?? Lawyers staging a protest outside the Supreme Court Complex yesterday Pic by Waruna Wanniarach­chi
Lawyers staging a protest outside the Supreme Court Complex yesterday Pic by Waruna Wanniarach­chi
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