A group of lawyers, led by the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, staged a protest march today (16) over the murder of a lawyer and his wife in Akuregoda.
The Bar Association convened a meeting of its members in Colombo yesterday (15) afternoon to discuss the next steps in response to the killings. At the meeting, it was decided that all lawyers across the island would withdraw from professional activities today in protest.
Accordingly, lawyers islandwide refrained from appearing in court today (16). As a result, individuals who sought legal services have reportedly faced inconvenience.
In addition, black flags have been hoisted in front of several courts as a mark of protest.
The bodies of the slain lawyer and his wife were brought yesterday afternoon to their residence in Godamuna, Pitigala, after being kept at a private funeral parlor in Colombo. The remains have been placed at the house, where lawyers and local residents, among others, are paying their final respects.
The final rites of the deceased are scheduled to be conducted this afternoon.
The couple was killed in a shooting incident that occurred on Friday afternoon in the parking area of a supermarket located about one kilometer from the Akuregoda Army Headquarters in Thalangama.
Two unidentified gunmen who arrived in a car carried out the attack and fled the scene.
The victims were identified as 44-year-old lawyer Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his 42-year-old wife, W.A. Nisansaala.
Police later discovered the vehicle believed to have been used by the suspects, set on fire along a side road in the Agaliya area of Baddegama, Galle.
It is reported that 12 police teams have been deployed to apprehend the suspects and others connected to the crime, and further investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, Senior DIG in charge of the Western Province, Sajeewa Medawatte, stated yesterday afternoon that police have already identified four individuals allegedly involved in the murder.
