Opposition Leaders Alert International Bodies Over Security Crisis 📈

• Overall Situation: Seventeen opposition party leaders, including Sajith Premadasa, Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Namal Rajapaksa, have formally petitioned global human rights and legal organizations regarding the "grave deterioration" of law and order in Sri Lanka. • Key Statistics: • Over 60 lives lost to shootings involving sophisticated firearms in 2025. • 9 deaths recorded already in early 2026. • Nationwide court strike held on February 16, 2026, involving over 3,500 attorneys following the daylight murder of a lawyer and his spouse. • Legal & Professional Impact: • The Legal Sector is facing "sustained and formidable challenges" to its independence. • Concerns raised over the "extreme politicization" of the Police Force and the Attorney-General’s office, undermining the criminal justice process. • Professionals warn that the safety of lawyers is critical to constitutional rights, citing the Commonwealth principle: "If the lawyer is not protected, then no one is protected." • Regulatory Concerns: • Leaders highlighted the proposed Anti-Terrorism Law, claiming it infringes on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). • Media Institutions are identified as high-risk targets under the new legislative framework, threatening owners, editors, and field staff. • Call to Action: The statement urges international intervention from bodies like the UN, Amnesty International, and the International Bar Association to preserve democratic institutions and professional safety in Sri Lanka.