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WATCH STORY
By: Isuru Parakrama
February 15, Colombo (LNW): The legal professionals affiliated with the National People’s Power (NPP) have strongly denounced the fatal shooting of attorney-at-law Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his wife in Akuregoda, Thalangama, describing the attack as a grave assault on the rule of law.
In a sharply worded statement released following the killings on February 13, 2026, the group expressed profound sorrow over the loss of their colleague and condemned what they characterised as a climate of violence fuelled by entrenched criminal networks.
They alleged that elements within the underworld had, in previous years, been emboldened by political patronage and allowed to flourish unchecked.
The lawyers said the murder was not merely an attack on an individual practitioner and his spouse, but a chilling message aimed at all those who work to uphold justice and protect civil liberties. They argued that when members of the legal fraternity are targeted, the implications extend far beyond the courtroom, striking at the very foundation of democratic governance.
Calling for decisive action, the group stressed that the present administration carries a clear mandate to dismantle the culture of impunity that once enabled armed gangs to operate without fear of consequence. They warned that unchecked criminality poses a threat to a wide spectrum of society — from journalists and law enforcement officers to members of the judiciary and the Bar.
The statement further asserted that the State must not shirk its responsibility to ensure public safety. According to the lawyers, investigative bodies and preventive institutions must respond with greater urgency and coordination, demonstrating that justice will neither be delayed nor denied.
They urged the Government to reaffirm its commitment to safeguarding citizens’ rights and appealed to the police to expedite inquiries, identify all those responsible and ensure that prosecutions proceed without interference.
The killing has reignited debate within legal and civic circles about personal security, the resilience of institutions and the broader challenge of confronting organised crime in Sri Lanka.
Full Statement:
“We are deeply saddened by the death of our comrade Buddhika Mallawarachchi and his wife. This cruel and inhuman attack targets not only a lawyer and his spouse but also the citizens of this country at large.
The incident underscores that the current government, tasked with ending the era in which armed criminals could operate with impunity, must act with greater urgency. The threat posed by bloodthirsty criminals is not limited to any single profession, it could target journalists, police officers, judges, and now, as seen, lawyers.
The state cannot evade its responsibility. All components of the justice system, including preventive mechanisms and ongoing investigations, must operate faster than ever.
We urge the National People’s Power government to uphold its duty to ensure the safety and dignity of all citizens and call on the Sri Lanka Police to promptly complete the investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
