The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has expressed serious concern over organized propaganda campaigns being conducted on social media platforms targeting the Attorney General’s Department and the decisions of the Attorney General.
In a statement issued by the Association, it warned that such pressure poses a significant threat to the rule of law, particularly at a time when protests are being organized in Colombo both in support of and in opposition to the Attorney General.
The BASL noted that the Attorney General exercises a quasi-judicial responsibility when determining whether to institute indictments in criminal cases. It emphasized that these decisions must be based solely on the evidence submitted by investigating officers and should not be influenced by public opinion or political pressure.
The statement further explained that any party aggrieved by a decision of the Attorney General has the right to challenge such decisions through legal channels, including the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court.
Referring to the judgment in Victor Ivan v. Sarath N. Silva, the Bar Association reiterated that every citizen is entitled to a fair and proper investigation.
While acknowledging that citizens have the right to criticize decisions made by public officials, the BASL stressed that such criticism should not take the form of biased campaigns that undermine the independence of state institutions.
Accordingly, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka urged the government and law enforcement authorities to take immediate steps to safeguard the independence and dignity of the Attorney General’s Department.
