{"id":17374,"date":"2026-02-19T04:59:29","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T04:59:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/?p=17374"},"modified":"2026-02-19T04:59:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T04:59:31","slug":"no-statement-from-defence-minister-on-inability-to-ensure-lawyers-lives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/no-statement-from-defence-minister-on-inability-to-ensure-lawyers-lives\/","title":{"rendered":"Did the Defence Minister make a controversial statement that life assurance cannot be guaranteed for lawyers representing criminals?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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The horrifying scenes where a lawyer and his wife were murdered in Akuregoda raised many concerns about whether security is ensured for lawyers who represent criminal cases. Amidst this scenario, a statement allegedly made by the Defence Minister went viral on social media. This is a fact-check we conducted to verify the truth behind the claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social Media Posts :<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A social media post attributed to the Defence Minister, \u201cWe cannot ensure the lives of lawyers who represent criminals anymore!\u201d<\/em> was circulated as follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Facebook<\/a> | Archived Link<\/a> Facebook<\/a> | Archived Link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We decided to investigate the truth of this claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fact Check:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was mentioned on social media<\/a> that on February 13, the lawyer who was shot dead near a supermarket in Akuregoda had represented a member of an organised criminal gang named “Karandeniya Sudda,” and that he had provided information about him to another criminal. It was further claimed that, as a result, Karandeniya Sudda had orchestrated the murder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We investigated whether the Defence Minister had made such a statement in the main media streams. However, no report confirming this could be found in any leading media outlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, on the 17th, the Minister stated that necessary security would be provided to lawyers and investigation officers who may be at risk, after assessments and confirmations by the intelligence services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n