The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) reiterated today that peaceful rallies and dissent should not be controlled by the use of the military and police.

The police and military had removed peaceful protesters from Galle Fort today and yesterday.

“Yesterday and today the Police and Army had distrupted a peaceful protest at the Galle Fort. The BASL this morning wrote to the Army Commander and the IGP on this matter. We reminded the Army Commander and the IGP of the wisdom of the judgement of the SC in the Janagosha Case.” Bar Association President Saliya Peiris said.

“It is prudent for the authorities including the Army Commander and the IGP to remember these words from the Jana Ghosha Case: “Stifling the peaceful expression of legitimate dissent today can only result, inexorably, in the catastrophic explosion of violence some other day.” Saliya Peiris added.