Justice For All, a non- governmental organization, has published a statement demanding government action following the recent spike of murders in Sri Lanka. The statement brings into question the effectiveness of the rule of law, security and the operation of key institutions responsible for maintaining law and order in the country.
In the statement, Justice for All refers to a series of brutal murders that took place throughout the month of February 2025, including the courtroom murder involving an ex- Sri Lankan army soldier, disguised as a lawyer, assassinating a suspect in broad daylight at a Magistrate court in Colombo, to demonstrate the scale of violence.
“These and other killings raise multiple questions on the role and responsibility of state entities such as the police and prison authorities who have failed in their duty of providing protection to those in their custody and for maintaining law and order in the country. These murders speak to the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, a condition which is becoming exposed in the context of political change in Sri Lanka.”
The letter argues that despite political changes, such as the election of Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the National People’s Power coalition in 2024, have not led to any improvements in security whilst impunity still prevails.
It goes on to urge the Sri Lankan government to take prompt action against those involved in violent crimes, and state officials known to have misused their authority and are linked to these instances of violence. It also mentions the incompetence of extraordinary police powers and states that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) must be avoided as it facilitates abuses of power.
“The entrenched corruption and abuse of power among certain sections of the law enforcement agencies has long manifested in torture, encounter killings carried out with impunity.”
“The Government bears the responsibility of taking prompt action against those involved, especially the individuals exercising state power and are linked to these instances of violence. It is crucial not to become trapped in expanding opportunities for abuse of power by relying on the Prevention of Terrorism Act or any similar extraordinary police powers.”
The letter ends with an urgent call for the establishment of accountable independent processes and institutions to maintain, justice, law and order in the country. The letter was signed by a group of professionals, including former MP M. A. Sumanthiran, political scientist Professor Jeyadeva Uyangoda and MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam.
Please see [here](https://economynext.com/justice-for-all-calls-for-action-amid-increasing-violence-in-sri-lanka-208560/) for the full statement.