The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called for the immediate removal of Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, following his controversial remarks at a recent Special Task Force training event. At the ceremony, Alles encouraged law enforcement officers to not hesitate in using their weapons against criminals, asserting that “Eliminating criminals from the country is not a sin.” This statement, according to the BASL, starkly contravenes the core tenets of the Sri Lankan Constitution and the judicial procedures that govern criminal justice in the country.
The BASL has expressed profound alarm over Alles’s comments, which it views as a blatant encouragement of extrajudicial actions. Such statements are especially concerning in light of the recent uptick in extrajudicial killings, custodial deaths, and instances of torture involving law enforcement. By suggesting that the administration of justice could sidestep the judiciary, Alles not only undermines the constitutional mandate that positions the courts as the sole authority on legal sentencing but also promotes a dangerous precedent for the arbitrary exercise of power.
The Bar Association has underscored that the responsibility for imposing penalties on wrongdoers squarely lies within the jurisdiction of duly conducted courts that adhere to rigorous due process. The BASL’s statement emphatically criticizes the minister’s reckless disregard for these legal boundaries, indicating that his repeated irresponsible and misleading communications have eroded public trust and misdirected law enforcement officials.
In its appeal, the BASL has not only demanded the retraction of the minister’s inflammatory statement but also urged the President of Sri Lanka to dismiss Minister Alles from his role. The Association argues that Alles’s continued advocacy for judicial bypass and his flippant stance on legal norms disqualify him from overseeing the nation’s security.
The BASL remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold the sacrosanct principle that only the courts have the authority to administer punishments, within the constraints of established legal frameworks. They reiterate the inviolable rights of every accused individual to a fair and thorough investigation and trial, which are fundamental to maintaining the integrity and civility of the nation’s legal system.
