Lawyers enraged over the recent “white van” threat levelled at attorney Methsiri Paranawithana have called on Bar Association of Sri Lanka president Wagachige Dayaratne to hold an emergency session with association members to discuss the matter.
The call coincides with an order from the Supreme Court to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) that a police report on the matter be submitted to court by July 30. Mr. Dayaratne said several lawyers had spoken to him about holding a meeting to discuss the issue, but he had decided to take a wait-and-see approach, adding that he would not hesitate to take action should the threat be repeated.
Earlier, Attorney Paranawithana had lodged a complaint with the IGP, saying a white van had been seen suspiciously close to his office, in an apparent threat, after he had personally delivered a restraining order from the Supreme Court calling on the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to halt the demolition of shanties lining the rail track in Slave Island last week.
Mr. Paranawithana and attorney Upul Jayasuriya had obtained the restraining order from the Supreme Court in response to an appeal from residents in Slave Island. Mr. Paranawithana said that, fearing for his safety, he had gone into hiding for several days, following the white van threat.
He told The Sunday Times that his health had been affected by anxiety and fears resulting from the incident, and that he was consequently unable to properly perform his professional duties. He said he was hoping the police would take action and apprehend those behind the threat.
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