The Fist and the Fall: Ali Sabry’s Shameful Courtroom Outburst
By Our Legal Affairs Correspondent
Colombo, June 18, 2026
The hallowed halls of the Court of Appeal, a place meant to embody the dignity and impartiality of the law, became the stage for a shocking display of unprofessionalism and intimidation on June 17, 2026. President’s Counsel Ali Sabry, a man who has held the highest offices in the land, including Justice Minister, Finance Minister, and Foreign Minister, allegedly unleashed a tirade of insults and threats against a journalist, Mr. Faseer. This incident, which occurred while he was representing former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a bail hearing related to the tragic Easter Sunday attacks, has raised serious questions about the conduct of senior legal professionals and the rule of law in Sri Lanka.
Witnesses report that Mr. Sabry, who is no longer a Member of Parliament, was visibly agitated and used extremely threatening language, pointing his fist in the face of the journalist. The gesture was not merely a sign of anger but a clear act of intimidation. A fellow journalist, Mr. Udaya Kumara, reportedly had to intervene to calm the situation, highlighting the volatile nature of the exchange. The incident has left the journalist community in shock and Mr. Faseer deeply scared for his safety.
An Affront to the Law
This incident is not just a moral failure but a potential legal offence. Under Sri Lankan law, threatening someone within the premises of a court is a serious crime, amounting to criminal intimidation and contempt of court. The sanctity of the judicial environment is protected to ensure that justice is administered without fear or favour. When a senior lawyer, a President’s Counsel no less, engages in such behaviour, it undermines the very foundation of the justice system.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has strict guidelines for the conduct of its members. Lawyers are expected to uphold the dignity of the profession and to act with the utmost decorum. A lawyer who acts violently or threatens another individual, particularly within a court, has brought the profession into disrepute and must face consequences. The BASL has previously warned that legal practitioners must be permitted to carry out their duties fearlessly and in the best interests of their clients, but this does not grant them the right to bully or intimidate journalists covering the proceedings .
No One is Above the Law
Critically, it must be stated that Ali Sabry, despite his distinguished career, is an ordinary citizen in the eyes of the law. He holds no special privileges or immunities that shield him from prosecution. As a former Justice Minister, he should be the first to understand the gravity of his actions. If a journalist, acting in his professional capacity, writes a report critical of Mr. Sabry, the proper recourse is through the legal system—for instance, by filing a defamation suit—not by pointing a fist in the journalist’s face. The rule of law demands that all disputes be resolved through established legal mechanisms, not through physical threats and intimidation.
The police have an obligation to investigate this matter, and the Chief Justice must ensure that the dignity of the courts is upheld by taking appropriate action. Allowing such behaviour to go unpunished would set a dangerous precedent and embolden others to act with impunity within the country’s hallowed judicial spaces.
A History of Public Embarrassment
This latest incident adds to a growing list of controversies surrounding Mr. Sabry’s public persona. It is widely known, for instance, that a speech Mr. Sabry delivered at the prestigious Cambridge Union student debating society has drawn significant ridicule. Reports suggest that English tutors now use his speech as a lesson in how not to speak English, with a cartoon series even featuring his face to mock his oratory skills. This public humiliation might have contributed to his evident frustration, but it is no excuse for violent and threatening behaviour. His anger should have been directed at improving his communication skills, not at intimidating a journalist.
The incident at the Court of Appeal is a stain on the reputation of Sri Lanka’s legal profession. It is time for the relevant authorities—the police and the judiciary—to step in and demonstrate that no one, regardless of their former political stature, is above the law. The BASL must also take swift disciplinary action against Mr. Sabry for his unprofessional conduct. Justice must be seen to be done, and the rights of journalists to report without fear must be protected above all else.