Mr. Upul Jayasuriya, the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka has been followed by an unidentified group (a motor bicycle and a three wheeler) today (15th July 2014) for hours. Mr Jayasuriya has been a strong leader of the Bar who has spoken strongly and fearlessly against the breach of Rule of Law, abuse of constitutional norms and erosion of democracy in Sri Lanka. Mr. Jayasuriya has made a formal complaint at the Kurunduwatta Police station (Colombo 7) around 5.00 p.m. today, in this regard.
We have witnessed a regular pattern of surveillance on civil society organisations, human rights defenders and individuals critical of the Government. There is also a series of unsolved crimes committed against those individuals where the Government has not shown any interest to investigate and prosecute the offenders. We consider the threat on the President of Bar Association as a serious indication of the prevailing questionable law and order situation of Sri Lanka.
While strongly condemning the intimidation on the Bar Association and its President, we urge the Government to conduct an impartial investigation and ensure protection of the President of the Bar Association. We have no doubt that the general public of Sri Lanka who value democracy in earnest condemns this dastardly act against Mr. Jayasuriya, irrespective of their political affiliation.
Lal Wijenayaka
JC Weliamuna
Conveners of Lawyers Collective