President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris, the former President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), has sharply criticised the conduct of the Sri Lanka Police for parading a suspect—arrested in connection with the murder of former Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, Lasantha Wickremasekara, alias ‘Midigama Lasa’—before the media. Pieris stressed that such actions gravely compromise police professionalism and bring disrepute to the entire legal system.
Pieris reiterated the critical importance of adhering strictly to legal procedure: “Arrests and criminal investigations must be done according to procedure established by law. Parading suspects before the media, getting them to give voice cuts, and sharing those clips on media and social media will thrill some sections of the public but will not help the prosecution once the trial starts.”
He further condemned the actions as “childish,” stating: “Such childish acts do not enhance the image of the police and are counterproductive. It calls into question the professionalism of the investigators and brings disrepute to the whole system.”
The Issue of Political Spectacles in Policing
We have frequently observed the Police Service, both in the past and recently, allocating increasing space for media spectacles. A notable example is the highly publicised event at the Katunayake Airport when suspects, including Ishara Sewwandi, were brought back to the country.
The police service is not a profession that requires political advantage. It is politicians who showcase these acts, using them as tools to gain power. One must question the priorities of the police leadership: are they now entirely controlled by the media and social media, or do they have any other duties?
As a former President of the BASL, Pieris’s strong condemnation underscores the imperative for law enforcement to maintain judicial integrity by resisting political and media sensationalism, and to conduct investigations in line with established professional and legal protocols.