They Can Kill Me! But Not My Voice!
Upul Jayasuriya -BASL President
Let me briefly explain this situation before I advert your attention to issues that are more important to the BASL and the society at large.
Upon my complaining to the Police about the incidents that have caused concerns to my security commencing from the 15th of July, the Executive Committee of the BASL moved court seeking Police protection for me. The circumstances that prompted the EXCO of the BASL to move court was that there have been large number of instances where in private citizens too have been granted such security as provided for under section 22 of the Police Ordinance including an instance wherein a brother of a victim from Wanathamulla has been granted such security with six guards upon an undertaking given by a DIG in the Magistrates court.
The Authorities denied similar security that was sought by the head of the UN-official Bar that leads the legal fraternity with a membership of over 15,000.
What have we done in the past? Have we acted in keeping with the objectives of the BASL constitution?
I would like to bring to your attention some of the objectives of the BASL that is encompassed in its constitution.
- the extension of co-operation and support towards the maintenance of the honour and independence of the Judiciary of Sri Lanka;
- the consideration of matters of national importance relating to the Rule of Law and Administration of Justice and if need be, making of representatives thereon to the Government and/or any other relevant authority and taking any further steps in respect thereof including filing of actions or intervening in actions in Courts of Justice;
- the promotion, observance and the protection of Human rights and liberties including the protection of the right of access to the Courts and of legal representation before Courts, Tribunals and other persons or bodies, judicial, administrative and investigating authorities
We have fought when the independence of the Judiciary was challenged.
