Politico criminals get preferential treatment: BASL

SUNDAY, 28 JULY 2013 

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has noted its grave concern about the marked difference between bail conditions imposed on politically-blessed people and those on ordinary people, the BASL president Upul Jayasuriya said at a Bar Council meeting.

He said the Bar Council noted with grave concern that there was an alarming increase in criminal activities committed by people who enjoyed political patronage and in some instances they were given preferential treatment when bail conditions were imposed on them.

“They are committing these crimes with impunity. Some statutory authorities have even been reluctant and hesitant to entertain complaints against them and produce them court,” Mr. Jayasuriya said.

He said a BASL committee had congratulated Puttalam Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake for re-remanding the former provincial councilor who was alleged to have violated his bail conditions by threatening witnesses.

“The committee has informed the Bar Council that it had passed a resolution to congratulate Puttalam Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake for having re-remanded the former provincial councillor over the violation of his bail conditions. All are equal before law,” he said. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)

Police attempt to suppress Nuriyawatte evidence SATURDAY, 27 JULY 2013 Some senior police officers are allegedly attempting to suppress evidence of the recent atrocities unravelled in Nuriyawatte in Deraniyagala, the Daily Mirror learns. Earlier, after the killing of the Nuriyawatte estate superintendent many reports of heinous crimes in the area began to surface. According to reports, senior Police officer at the Avissawella Police Station had allegedly created havoc at the temple premises recently. Sources said the officer was a close confidante of an accused in the murder of the Superintendent. According to sources the OIC acting under the behest of senior police officials together with the police are attempting to suppress evidence emerging against the suspects.