BASL assures legal action against attackers

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday assured that it will take every possible step to ensure that people who launched violence at Galle Face will be dealt with according to law and urged people to remain calm until then.

In a statement BASL said it condemns the violence which was launched by a mob which departed from Temple Trees - the residence of the former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. It also thanked its members who went to the scene of the protest at Galle Face to intervene to prevent violence.

“The BASL called upon the people of Sri Lanka not to resort to violence against any persons or not to destroy public property or private property of any individual,” the statement said.

In an earlier statement soon after the incident, BASL called upon the IGP and the Police to take immediate action, to prevent anti-government protesters from being attacked.

“There will be grave repercussions to the Government and the police, if they fail to take action, to

deal with this situation,” BASL said in a statement.