Sri Lanka: BASL Condemns Social Media Attacks on Attorney General, Warns of Threats to Judicial Independence
By Lions Roar News Legal & Justice Desk
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (Wednesday, January 21, 2026) — The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has expressed deep concern over recent social media campaigns targeting the Attorney General, labeling them as unfair attempts to undermine the independence of the high office.
In an official statement, the BASL emphasized that the Attorney General performs a critical quasi-judicial role in criminal proceedings and must be allowed to operate without external pressure or online intimidation.
⚖️ The Quasi-Judicial Mandate
The BASL clarified the legal framework under which the Attorney General’s Department functions, highlighting that decisions are based strictly on evidence, not public sentiment.
- Evidence-Based Decisions: The Attorney General must decide whether to file charges or indictments based solely on information provided by investigative officers.
- The “Reasonable Probability” Test: Before moving forward, the office must assess if the facts constitute legally admissible evidence and whether there is a reasonable probability of securing a conviction.
- Independence: The BASL warned that social media posts seeking to influence these decisions are an “unjustified interference” with the independence of the post.
🛠️ Legal Recourse vs. Public Outcry
The Association reminded the public that the law provides established channels to challenge the Attorney General’s decisions if they are believed to be wrong.
“Decisions of the Attorney General can be reviewed by the Court of Appeal through a Writ application or by the Supreme Court via a Fundamental Rights petition,” the statement noted.
The BASL further stressed that judicial and quasi-judicial officers are bound to decide according to the Rule of Law, which sometimes results in decisions that may not align with popular public opinion.
📊 The Attorney General’s Role (BASL Briefing)
| Function | Description | Legal Status |
| Charge Filing | Decides if a suspect should be indicted. | Quasi-Judicial |
| Evidence Review | Assesses admissibility of police evidence. | Mandated by Law |
| Decision Review | Can be challenged in Higher Courts. | Constitutional Right |
| Public Influence | Decisions should NOT follow public opinion. | Independence Guardrail |
