News
BASL convenes special meeting over attorney shooting
View(s):By Ishu Bandara
Following the fatal shooting of attorney-at-law Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his wife inside their vehicle at a supermarket car park in Akuregoda, Thalangama on Friday, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) called a special general meeting of its membership today to discuss the issue.
BASL Secretary Chathura Galhena told the Sunday Times that today’s meeting, convened under Article 12A on the direction of the executive committee, will be held at 3 pm at the Dr H W Jayawardena QC Auditorium, BASL Secretariat, Colombo 12, “to decide on the next course of action”.
The BASL, in a statement issued yesterday, said it strongly condemns the shooting and assassination.
Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his wife Nisansala Pubudu were shot dead at a supermarket car park
The association also urged that “concrete and positive steps be taken by the Law Enforcement Authorities to prevent such incidents occurring in the future”.
Describing the special convening, Mr Galhena said, “This is a very, very exceptional circumstance, the first of its kind in 14 years. BASL has only summoned a special general meeting on a few occasions, such as during the impeachment of a chief justice in 2012.”
“The recent fatal shooting of the attorney-at-law demonstrates that none of us are safe, and such violence threatens the very foundation of the legal profession,” he said.
“This attack happened in broad daylight, just 500 meters from the Defence headquarters, and was carried out very casually.This atmosphere suggests that it could happen to anyone at any time, including journalists or other professionals performing their duties,” he added.
The victim, who primarily practised at the Colombo High Court, had been handling cases involving alleged organised crime figures. Police are investigating whether his professional work may have been a factor in the murder.
Mr Mallawarachchi and his wife, Nisansala Pubudu from Athurugiriya were leaving the supermarket in Akuregoda when two gunmen got off a vehicle and fired at them from two sides.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the shooting, carried out by two unidentified men who arrived in a car, involved a T-56 assault rifle and a pistol.
Mr Galhena expressed serious concern over the rapid spread of unverified stories on social media immediately following the incident, warning that such narratives will undermine national security and individual freedom.
500 meters from the Defence headquarters.
“As the current IGP is also an attorney-at-law, he has promised to use the full strength of the Police to conduct a proper investigation and bring the murderers to justice,” Mr Galhena said.
He said this must be done without delay, warning that any lag in the investigation would undermine public trust in the legal system.
Police spokesman ASP Wootler said the CID, FCID, CCID, and Special Branch have deployed a total of 10 teams across multiple areas. He added that the investigation has so far been very fruitful and expressed hope that the case will be solved very soon.
Mr Mallawarachchi had appeared in cases in which organised criminals had been charged.
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