• PC advises to complain to BASL but notes need to adhere to identifiable dress code 

Police will investigate claims of harassment of female lawyers while visiting clients in Police stations.

“We are going to carry out investigations into the alleged harassment of female lawyers in Police stations,” Police Media Spokesperson, Deputy Inspector General of Police Nihal Thalduwa, said in a press conference yesterday (15) in response to queries raised by the media on female lawyers being harassed. “Lawyers have the right to represent their clients and if this is occurring, we will take action.”

However, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) stated that if lawyers face harassment by the Police or at Police stations and detention centres, lawyers should complain to the BASL as soon as possible. “Lawyers have the right to represent their client and they also have to be treated respectfully when they visit their client,” member of the BASL, President’s Counsel S. Tharapathi Jayanaga told The Daily Morning yesterday. “So, if there are cases of harassment faced by lawyers, they should come and complain to the BASL as we are there to help them.” Nevertheless, Jayanaga noted that every lawyer should adhere to the dress code for lawyers when representing their clients and be identifiable as lawyers while also avoiding futile attempts to take these complaints up to Police officers and politicians.

The Daily Morning’s attempts to contact the President of the Sri Lanka Women Lawyers’ Association Shiranthi Gunawardena, proved futile.