Bar Association raises concerns over attempts to disrupt peaceful protests

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka today said it views any attempts to disrupt a peaceful protest by the people with grave concern.

Responding to the measures taken by the police to move its trucks to the vicinity of Galle Face Green where a peaceful protest by thousands of people is ongoing, President of the BASL, President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris said any attempt to disrupt in whatever manner what is a peaceful protest by the people of this country will have grave repercussions for the country, its democracy, its economy and the rule of law.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka in a statement said the trucks have now been removed after it was highlighted in the social media and brought to the notice of the authorities.

“The BASL views with grave concern any attempt to disrupt in whatever manner, what is a peaceful protest by the people of this country. Any such attempt will have grave repercussions for the country, its democracy, its economy and the rule of law,” it said.

The BASL called upon the Government to desist from taking any steps whatsoever to disrupt what is a legitimate exercise of the freedom of dissent of the people.