The attack on lawyer Harshana Jayaratne in front of the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court is an extremely serious matter. Every lawyer has the unquestionable right to represent any client they choose, and no one has the authority to interfere with that right.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) should be commended for its swift response to the attack. However, threats against lawyers go far beyond isolated incidents of violence. When such threats are ignored, they can escalate—even to the point of endangering lives.
It is in this context that the threats against Achala Seneviratne and Dr. Ravindranath Dabare must be understood. Both have handled highly sensitive and controversial cases in Sri Lanka, and both have informed the police that their lives are at risk.
Achala Seneviratne made forceful remarks during the recent protest against the Attorney General. She also recorded a video showing four individuals spying on her in an apparent attempt to intimidate her. Once they realized they were being filmed, they fled. Achala continues to advocate for victims in the high‑profile Navy abduction case and has consistently spoken out for justice.
Dr. Dabare, an environmental specialist, has played a key role in exposing corruption and misconduct related to the Express Pearl disaster. Just last week, the court ordered Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appear in connection with a case Dr. Dabare filed regarding alleged bribes received by politicians after the Aragalaya. Meanwhile, there has been no progress in the investigation into Dr. Dabare’s complaint from August last year, when a suspicious individual forcibly entered his home.
Despite repeated requests for protection, the police have yet to provide adequate security to any of these lawyers.
Regrettably, I have not seen the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) speak out on behalf of these colleagues who are facing direct threats to their lives.
– Saroj Pathirana, FB
February 01, 2026