The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has raised concerns about reports of several incidents of conflicts between civilians and members of the police and armed forces at fuel stations across the country.

In a letter addressed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the BASL said there has been video footage of civilians being assaulted by personnel of the armed forces and the police, the latest being of a civilian being kicked by an Army officer at a fuel station.

Stating that thousands of desperate civilians are waiting in queues at hundreds of fuel stations in the country resulting in certain tense situations, the BASL warned the President of the imminent dangers this situation could give rise to. 

The present unrest could result in a conflagration between civilians and members of the armed forces or the Police, the BAR Association pointed out.

The BASL further called on the President to take all necessary steps to give instructions to the Defence Secretary, the Commanders of the Tri Forces and the Inspector General of Police to ensure that there is an immediate de-escalation of the situation in different parts of the country, especially at fuel stations.

The Association also said it was necessary to give strict instructions to the Police and the forces to desist from violence in dealing with the public and to act with the utmost restraint.

Full statement:

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has raised concerns about reports of several incidents of conflicts between civilians and members of the police and armed forces at fuel stations across the country.

In a letter addressed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the BASL said there has been video footage of civilians being assaulted by personnel of the armed forces and the police, the latest being of a civilian being kicked by an Army officer at a fuel station.

Stating that thousands of desperate civilians are waiting in queues at hundreds of fuel stations in the country resulting in certain tense situations, the BASL warned the President of the imminent dangers this situation could give rise to. 

The present unrest could result in a conflagration between civilians and members of the armed forces or the Police, the BAR Association pointed out.

The BASL further called on the President to take all necessary steps to give instructions to the Defence Secretary, the Commanders of the Tri Forces and the Inspector General of Police to ensure that there is an immediate de-escalation of the situation in different parts of the country, especially at fuel stations.

The Association also said it was necessary to give strict instructions to the Police and the forces to desist from violence in dealing with the public and to act with the utmost restraint.