Leaders of several opposition parties have issued a joint statement urging international professional organizations to intervene amid serious threats to the safety of lawyers and the public in Sri Lanka.
The statement was signed by opposition figures including Sajith Premadasa, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Namal Rajapaksa, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Jeevan Thondaman, and Mano Ganeshan.
According to the statement, a troubling pattern of killings using modern firearms has emerged, with over 60 deaths reported last year and nine deaths so far this year.
The statement highlighted the murder of lawyer Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his wife near a high-security zone on February 13, 2026, describing it as a shocking incident for the legal community.
In response, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, for the first time in 14 years, organized a protest, with lawyers across the island refraining from professional duties on February 16, resulting in the closure of all courts from the Supreme Court to Magistrate’s Courts on that day.
The opposition leaders criticized police statements labeling the deceased lawyer as a drug dealer before any investigation was conducted, calling it irresponsible and an attempt to downplay the seriousness of the incident. They also alleged that the police force has become heavily politicized.
The statement expressed concern over the proposed anti-terrorism bill, warning that it seeks to suppress public discontent and poses a serious risk to democratic values and media freedom.
Furthermore, the leaders stated that Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, has failed to maintain law and order and ensure citizens’ safety.
The statement emphasizes that the anti-terrorism bill, in its current form, not only attacks the country’s democratic principles but also violates Sri Lanka’s obligations under international agreements, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
It warns that the bill directly targets media institutions, their owners, editors, executives, and media professionals at all levels.
In light of these concerns, the opposition leaders have requested international professional organizations to intervene to protect the safety of professionals in Sri Lanka.
A formal appeal has been sent to organizations including the International Bar Association, Commonwealth Bar Association, International Commission of Jurists, International Association of Young Lawyers, International Democratic Lawyers Association, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, International Convention for Human Rights, World Organization Against Torture, Frontline Defenders, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders.
