BASL Demands Public Security Minister's Ouster Over Controversial Remarks

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has strongly condemned a recent statement by the country's Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, and urged the President to remove Minister Alles from the ministerial portfolio.

The Minister's remarks, made at the Katukurunda STF training camp's passing out parade has garnered widespread attention across various media platforms.

Minister Tiran Alles reportedly told the new officers, "Eliminating criminals from the country is not a sin. Don’t be afraid to use the weapon in your hand for the right thing, and we stand by you," said a BASL communique.

The BASL views this statement as a direct violation of Sri Lanka's Constitution and established procedures governing the criminal
justice system.

Issuing a statement, the BASL said: "The dispensation of justice, including the imposition of penalties upon wrongdoers, is exclusively within the jurisdiction of the courts as mandated by the Constitution."

The BASL emphasized that due process, including proper investigations and fair trials, is fundamental to a just legal system.

The BASL expressed deep concern over the rise in extrajudicial killings, custodial deaths, and torture by law enforcement officials in recent months.

They believe Minister Alles' statement exacerbates this worrying trend by suggesting that law enforcement can operate outside the legal framework.

The Association called the Minister's actions "irresponsible, arbitrary, and misleading," highlighting his duty to uphold public trust and provide proper guidance to law enforcement personnel.

In light of these concerns, the BASL has urged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to remove Minister Alles from the Public Security portfolio.

"The BASL calls upon His Excellency the President to forthwith remove Minister Tiran Alles from the portfolio of Public Security as he, by his repeated statements encouraging impunity and callous disregard for the rule of law, demonstrates that he is no longer suitable to hold that office," it added.