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BASL President without security despite magisterial order on Friday to provide same
View(s):Sri Lanka Bar Association (BASL) President Upul Jayasuriya said yesterday that he had not been provided police protection despite the magisterial order made on Friday to do so.
Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate, Gihan Pilapitiya on Friday directed Colombo Central SSP Palitha Siriwardena to provide security to Mr Jayasuriya until August 11, the date for the next magisterial hearing.
The Magistrate also ordered the Senior DIG of Police for Western Province (WP), to appear in court on August 11 and make submissions regarding the provision of police security for Mr Jayasuriya.
The BASL Executive Committee had filed the petition seeking protection for Mr Jayasuriya, after he alleged that he was being followed by unidentified persons and his house was being watched.When the case was first taken up on August 5, the Magistrate directed the Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order and the Senior DIG of Police for WP, to appear in court on August 8.
Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order however, had informed court that he would not be able to appear in court on August 8, as he was overseas.
Colombo Central SSP Palitha Siriwardena told the court on Friday (August 8), that the ministry secretary must take a decision to provide the necessary protection to the (BASL) President. He added that they had taken steps which included the deployment of mobile patrols to ensure Mr. Jayasuriya’s safety.
President’s Counsel Thilak Marapona, appearing on behalf of the petitioner, told court that it was absurd to seek the opinion of a secretary, and to then only assess the security, in a situation where a person’s life was at risk.
Petitioners pointed out that the police had been providing security to the brother of an individual who was killed in a clash involving two underworld groups since 2010. And this had been done without any approval by the Ministry secretary or security assessments. They added that it is disappointing that security is yet to be provided to the president of the professional organisation that represents more than 14,000 lawyers.