Former Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) President and President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris has called for greater professionalism and adherence to due process in criminal investigations, cautioning against practices that turn law enforcement into public spectacle.
In a statement posted on social media, Pieris stressed that arrests and investigations must be conducted strictly in accordance with the procedure established by law. He warned that actions such as parading suspects before the media, obtaining public “voice cuts,” and circulating such clips on traditional and social media may generate public excitement but ultimately harm the prosecution’s case once the trial begins.
“Parading suspects before the media, getting them to give voice cuts and sharing those clips on media and social media will thrill some sections of the public but will not help the prosecution once the trial starts,” Pieris said.
He described such acts as “childish and counterproductive,” noting that they call into question the professionalism of investigators and bring disrepute to the wider justice system.
Pieris urged all stakeholders involved in criminal justice to uphold legal procedure and maintain the dignity of the process to ensure public confidence in the rule of law.
