The Bar Association in Sri Lanka (BASL) has released a statement today (18) on the law and order in the country, noting that those who impose the law are also facing the same pressures of the general public in a volatile country. "The recent images of a pistol wielding police officer assaulting a member of the public at a petrol shed at Maspotha, in Kurunegala and the ensuing exchange of words and the violent scenes at a fuel station in Athurugiriya are only examples of the volatile situation throughout the country. We acknowledge the difficult environment in which the members of the police and the armed forces are compelled to function at present, since they and their families too are no doubt facing the same pressures as the rest of the public. Nevertheless, it is of utmost importance that those enforcing the law act with restraint and caution in dealing with the public," the statement read. It further mentioned that it was essential that police officers performing their duties must act with restraint and caution in dealing with the public. " It is essential that police officers in performing their duties act with understanding and empathy and acknowledge the immense suffering of the public. Law enforcement officers must in all instances act with fairness and impartiality. Any acts seen as being biased and unfair will add to the distrust which already exists," it read. Furthermore, the statement mentioned about the current state of the country in which thousands of people are lined up in queues for long hours and even days awaiting fuel, adding that the pressures due to the shortage of gas and other essentials, with no solution in sight. "Many people are deprived of their regular income and have no way to feed their families. There have been also reports of several deaths of persons while in queues and due to the lack of medicines. The dire situation in the country has driven people to desperation, resulting in frustration and anger," the statement read. The statement by the BASL then called on the Government of Sri Lanka to take urgent and practical steps to ease the burden of the public and to ensure that the needs of the public are met in a reasonable manner, apart from disclosing the to the public the gravity of the situation, but also that it was important to inform the public on a regular basis of its plans to extricate the country from the political, economic, and social crises and ongoing progress of work. "The BASL re-iterates that reassuring the people and creating public confidence are important steps in addressing these crises. Public mistrust of the Government and law enforcement will have dire consequences for the country and lead to irreparable harm," the statement concluded.