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BASL questions Ratwatte’s eligibility to hold office

16 Sep 2021

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has questioned former State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Affairs Lohan Ratwatte’s eligibility to hold office in the government any longer, while adding that they are “deeply disturbed” by the reports of the alleged criminal conduct on the part of the State Minister. “The allegations that Mr. Ratwatte forcibly entered the prisons at Welikada with other persons and that he flew to Anuradhapura and forcibly entered the prison there and intimidated prisoners at that prison are acts of gross impunity and a threat to the rule of law,” the BASL said in a statement released today (16). Accordingly, the Association notes that the allegations against Ratwatte are such that he can no longer command the trust or responsibility of not only a government minister charged with duties in respect of prisons, but also as a minister holding any other portfolio and as a Member of Parliament. “Such acts of impunity are ones which should be investigated fully and impartially and if proved be visited with penal consequences. It is imperative that independent and impartial investigations into these alleged criminal acts are conducted expeditiously. The BASL has noted time and again that the State has a duty to protect prisoners in their custody,” the statement further reads. Due to the fact that Ratwatte has tendered his resignation, the BASL states that this shows that he has accepted responsibility for his conduct and therefore he has forfeited his moral right to hold any office in government, ministerial or otherwise. In conclusion, the BASL called upon all relevant authorities including the Hon. Attorney General and the law enforcement authorities to act forthwith in dealing with these serious acts of impunity allegedly committed by Ratwatte.


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