May 22, Colombo (LNW): The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has raised serious concerns regarding an attempt by law enforcement authorities to obtain a lawyer’s mobile phone without legal authorisation, following a violent incident in Colombo involving a former high-level government official.
In a strongly worded communication to Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, the BASL criticised the conduct of officers from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), who had reportedly made a verbal request for the phone of Attorney-at-Law Dinesh Dodangoda.
The demand came in the aftermath of a targeted assault on Mr Dodangoda and his client, Thusitha Hallouwa — a former Director to ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The attack occurred on the evening of 18 May along Dabare Mawatha in Colombo 5, where two unidentified assailants allegedly ambushed their vehicle. According to reports, the attackers discharged firearms, physically assaulted both individuals, and fled with a document file belonging to Hallouwa. The file is believed to have contained sensitive material.
Subsequent to the incident, Mr Dodangoda was approached by CCD personnel, who, without producing a warrant or court order, verbally requested access to his mobile phone as part of their investigation.
The BASL has taken exception to this approach, arguing that such a move directly undermines the legal protections afforded to members of the legal profession.
In their letter, signed by BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya and Secretary Chathura A. Galhena, the Association stressed that a lawyer’s mobile phone often holds confidential communications, both personal and related to ongoing legal cases.
Any attempt to access such information must be conducted strictly through judicial oversight, they said, warning that circumvention of due process not only infringes upon privacy rights but also jeopardises the integrity of legal proceedings.
The BASL reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the independence of the legal profession and called upon the Police Department to exercise greater restraint and adherence to legal standards in its operations.
The Association urged the Acting IGP to review the incident thoroughly and ensure that such intrusions do not recur, asserting that legal practitioners must be allowed to operate without intimidation or unlawful interference.
