Mar 18, Colombo: The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) in a letter to the President Ranil Wickremesinghe requested the head of the state to make “best possible” appointment to head the country’s police force.

"It is of utmost importance that the best possible appointment be made to that office" the BASL requested the President regarding the post of Inspector General of Police (IGP) that is due to fall vacant on the 23rd of March, 2023.

The lawyers noting that during the last few decades there has been a serious erosion of public confidence in the Sri Lanka Police due to lack of independence, politicization, police brutality, custodial deaths, and lack of professionalism said the public confidence in the Police is vital for the administration of justice and the rule of law.

“It is of utmost importance that the next Inspector General of Police of Sri Lanka should be an officer whose service in the police force is exemplary and free of any blemish and able to restore public confidence in the Sri Lanka Police," BASL stated in the letter addressed to the President.

The BASL pointed out to the President that no officer who has pending Fundamental Rights or criminal cases against him or any allegations of involvement in unlawful activity be appointed to the office of the IGP.

The BASL in its letter urged the President "that the appointment of the Inspector General of Police (and all other appointments to key offices) be done in a transparent manner so as to establish public confidence in the appointment process."

The letter has been copied to the Chairman of the Constitutional Council, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and the members of the Council which approves the nominees made by the President to the top posts.