BASL to hold emergency general meeting for first time in 14 years, over Akuregoda shooting

The President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), Rajeev Amarasuriya, stated that an emergency general meeting of all members of the Association will be held tomorrow (15), marking the first such meeting in 14 years.

Speaking at a press conference today (14) to clarify the Association’s stance on yesterday’s Akuregoda shooting incident, the BASL President said that the emergency meeting has been scheduled for 3:00 p.m. tomorrow.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) had strongly condemned the tragic shooting and assassination of an Attorney-at-Law and his wife yesterday (13) at Akuregoda by a group of unidentified assailants.

Addressing the media, Amarasuriya stated that the BASL Executive Committee met today to discuss the incident. He emphasized that the matter affects the entire legal community and cannot be decided by the Executive Committee alone. Accordingly, he said an emergency meeting of the full membership has been convened to determine the Association’s future course of action.

He further noted, “We haven’t called such a meeting since 2012. The last time was regarding the impeachment of former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake. We are convening this meeting after 14 years.”

Commenting on the broader implications of the incident, the BASL President underscored that the legal system is founded on the presumption of innocence, regardless of the severity of the alleged crime. He stressed that when a lawyer is targeted for representing a client—irrespective of who that client may be—it constitutes an attack on the entire legal system.

Highlighting the threat to the legal system, he added, “The rule of law is now under threat. Today it is a lawyer; tomorrow it could be a judge, and the day after, a police officer. We have already seen what has happened to prison officers. This is not something we can take lightly because the legal system protects the rule of law in our country. We strongly condemn this act committed in broad daylight.”

Amarasuriya called on the authorities to make full use of CCTV footage and modern investigative technology to apprehend those responsible, stressing that the issue extends beyond the legal fraternity and represents a national concern. He further said that the government bears a responsibility to ensure the safety of all citizens.

“We are in the year 2026, not in the 70s or 80s. We will provide the government with any necessary support, but the rule of law and social security must be strictly upheld,” he added.

Meanwhile, a formal notice has been issued to the general membership of the BASL, stating that a Special General Meeting has been convened in terms of Article 12A of the Constitution of the BASL, following a directive issued by the Executive Committee at its meeting held on February 14, 2026.

Details of the Special General Meeting:

• Date: Sunday, 15 February 2026

• Time: 3.00 p.m.

• Venue: Dr. H.W. Jayawardena QC Auditorium, BASL Secretariat, No. 153, Mihindu Mawatha, Colombo 12

• Agenda: Brutal assassination of an Attorney-at-Law and his spouse on 13 February 2026 at Akuregoda