The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has announced a complete withdrawal from court proceedings across Sri Lanka on February 16, following the fatal shooting of a lawyer and his wife in the Akuregoda area. The move marks one of the strongest collective protests by the country’s legal community in recent years and signals deep concern over what it describes as a growing climate of violence.
The decision was reached during a special general meeting convened in Colombo on February 15, where members deliberated on the profession’s response to the killings and the broader implications for rule of law and public safety. According to BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya, four resolutions were unanimously adopted, reflecting the association’s collective outrage and sense of urgency.
Central to these resolutions is a call for the government to take immediate and decisive measures to end what the association described as a “culture of murder” and to ensure the safety of citizens. The legal body also resolved to suspend all professional activities in courts for one day as a mark of protest and mourning, a step intended to underscore the gravity of the incident and to demand accountability.
The association further urged law enforcement authorities to swiftly apprehend those responsible and initiate legal proceedings without delay. It also expressed strong displeasure over the circulation of unverified information related to the case, warning that speculation presented as fact could undermine both the investigation and public trust.
Members of the legal fraternity say the killings have sent shockwaves through the community, raising fears about the safety of legal professionals and the integrity of the justice system. By staging the boycott, the BASL aims to press authorities to deliver justice swiftly while reaffirming the principle that the rule of law must prevail over violence and intimidation.
