News
BASL holds back response pending talks with seniors
Alleged presidential interference in judiciary:
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Declaring that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) steadfastly protected the independence of the judiciary, its President Kaushalya Navaratne yesterday (22) said that senior members would be consulted to decide what he called,the best possible course of action.
Navaratne said so when The Island sought his response to the simmering controversy over President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s alleged interference in judicial matters.
Referring to the Opposition criticism of President Wickremesinghe’s controversial comments at the National Law Conference 23/24, held at the Grand Hotel, Nuwara Eliya, on 03 June, and at the 29th AGM of the Coconut Growers Association, at the Sri Lanka Foundation, on 04 August, The Island, a few days ago, asked Navaratne when the BASL would issue a statement in this regard.
Navaratne said that the BASL always stood for the protection of the independence of the Judiciary. “Irrespective of the person/persons, or the posts they held, it is our position that no one should directly, or indirectly, do or say anything which would undermine the independence of the judiciary or rule of law. The independence of the Judiciary is a primary requisite of a democratic governance,” the BASL chief said.
Navaratne explained having discussed the issues at hand, the executive committee of BASL decided to seek the opinion of senior members as the issue is recurrent. Once a consensus is reached, the BASL would decide on the best possible course of action.
Asked for the BASL’s stand on Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena’s 09 August declaration that the courts were not empowered to issue orders or judgments of any nature related to a motion already passed by the Parliament, Navaratne said the executive committee decided to consult a few senior lawyers to obtain an opinion.
Navaratne said that once the opinions were available, the BASL would decide on future action.
The Speaker gave the controversial ruling after Tourism and Lands Minister Harin Fernando (SJB) raised a privilege issue on petitions filed against the resolution on domestic debt restructuring that had been approved by the House.
Prof. G. L. Peiris, MP, on behalf of the rebel SLPP group, President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris and three lawyers representing the JVP-led Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) Sunil Watagala, Upul Kumarapperuma and J.M. Wijebandara, condemned President Wickremesinghe’s actions.
Executive Director of the polls monitoring body PAFFREL Rohana Hettiarachchi emphasized that the government caused an unprecedented legal crisis by ignoring a specific directive issued by the Supreme Court on 03 March, 2023. That interim order issued to Secretary of Finance Ministry Mahinda Siriwardena and Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam was meant to pave the way for Local Government polls. The SC prevented them from withholding of the funds allocated for the 2023 local government elections, through the budget passed by the Parliament.
In addition, the apex court issued another interim order preventing the appropriation of money allocated to the government printing press for the printing of ballot papers. The civil society activist said that the powers that be continued to disregard that directive on the basis the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa administration lacked the wherewithal to conduct Local Government polls.
The order was given by the three-member Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Janak de Silva and Priyantha Fernando, allowing the consideration of a fundamental rights petition filed by Samagi Jana Balawegaya General Secretary MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi departed today (06) from Air Force Base Anuradhapura concluding his State visit to Sri Lanka. The Indian Premier embarked on a tour to Sri Lanka at the invitation from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
This visit underscores the enduring relationship encapsulated by the theme “Friendship of Centuries, Commitment to a Prosperous Future,” further solidifying the bonds between India and Sri Lanka.
This marks Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to Sri Lanka, which has further enhanced the economic, cultural, and historical relations between the two nations, while also reinforcing their multifaceted partnership. This visit by the Indian Prime Minister reinforces Sri Lanka’s important role in India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy” and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision concerning diplomatic relations.
This state visit is anticipated to yield significant results on various collaborative initiatives, fostering a path towards mutual growth and development. The citizens of Sri Lanka will soon be able to witness the fruitful outcomes of these partnerships, and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit will mark a significant milestone in the government’s pursuit of sustainable development focused on the needs of the people.
Accompanying Indian Prime Minister Modi were Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and a delegation of senior officials from the Indian government.
[PMD]
Latest News
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
The upgraded Maho–Omanthai railway line and the newly installed Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system were officially commissioned by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (06)
The Prime Minister of India is currently visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, reinforcing the longstanding bond encapsulated in the theme “Friendship of Centuries Commitment to a Prosperous Future” between the two nations.
Highlighting one of the key aspects of this visit, the two leaders participated in these inaugural ceremonies. The President and the Prime Minister of India jointly unveiled the commemorative plaque and commissioned the railway line and signalling system.
The upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line project was carried out with funding through the Indian Credit Line, totalling an investment of US$ 91.27 million. The Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system, established as a result of President Disanayake’s recent visit to India, was funded by the Indian Government at a cost of USD 14.89 million.
[PMD]
Latest News
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, along with President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura this morning (06) and received blessings.
Following his visit to the sacred site, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to the Udamaluwa, where he met with the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthanadhipathi and Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwarakalaviya, Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, for a cordial discussion.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared that relics of the Buddha were discovered in excavations conducted in his home state of Gujarat during the 1960s. He further stated that he would discuss with the President of Sri Lanka the possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka.
Responding to a request made by the Atamasthanadhipathi to develop Bodh Gaya as a spiritual city, Prime Minister Modi assured that he would take the necessary steps after discussions with President Disanayake and work towards making it a reality.
The Maha Sangha, led by the Atamasthanadhipathi, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the Indian Prime Minister.
The Indian Prime Minister also left a commemorative note in the special guest book at the site. In addition, he formally declared open the newly constructed ‘Makara Thorana’ within the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises.
The occasion was also attended by Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Temple Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanathilaka Thera and other Atamasthana Viharadhipathi Theras, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and others.
[PMD]
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi concludes State Visit to Sri Lanka
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
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