The BAR Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has raised concerns over the recent statement of Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles concerning lawyers and the appointment of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Minister Alles recently claimed that several prominent lawyers had opposed the appointment of Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon who is involved in tackling illegal drug activities in Sri Lanka.
The Public Security Minister further claimed that the lawyers were opposing the appointment as they were representing drug peddlers in court for large sums of money.
Responding to the claims made pertaining to lawyers, the BASL pointed out that the right to represent a client is a professional right which has been safeguarded by law, and any threat to the right, is an attack on the profession at large.
On Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon’s appointment, the BASL said the IGP is the Head of the Police Department and has security of tenure in terms of the Removal of Officers Act No. 5 of 2002, due to which it is of utmost importance that the best possible appointment be made to that office.
Issuing a statement, the BASL said it is of utmost importance that the next permanent appointment of Inspector General of Police should be an officer whose service in the police force is exemplary and free of any blemish and able to restore public confidence in the Sri Lanka Police. (NewsWire)
