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‘One-Country-One-Law’ PTF will serve no useful purpose – BASL

Published

4 years ago

2021/11/3

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) says no useful purpose would be served by the creation and appointment of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) to facilitate the implementation of the “One Law, One Country” concept. The BASL asserts that the proposed PTF would carry out the functions of many institutions established under the Constitution and the law, including Parliament and the Ministry of Justice.

The following is the text of the letter sent by the BASL to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa: “The Bar Association of Sri Lanka notes that Your Excellency has appointed a Presidential Task Force for One Country, One Law, by virtue of the powers vested under Article 33 of the Constitution.

“The proclamation published in the Gazette under the hand of the Secretary to the President states that the appointments are being made focusing on the fact that the administration of justice, its implementation and protection under the law should be fair by all as set out in the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The proclamation notes that under fundamental rights that no citizen should be discriminated against in the eye of the law or meted out special treatment on grounds of nationality, religion, caste, or any other grounds. It further states that the implementation of the concept; ‘One Country, One Law’ within Sri Lanka is reflected as a methodology of ensuring nationally and internationally recognized humanitarian values and the fact that all citizens are treated alike in the eye of the law should be further ensured.

“The Task Force is required to make a study of the implementation of the concept; ‘One Country, One Law’ within Sri Lanka and to prepare draft legislation for the said purpose and to study the draft legislation that has already been prepared by the Ministry of Justice in relation to this subject and their appropriateness and to submit proposals for any amendments thereto.

“Your Excellency is no doubt aware that the preparation of draft legislation and the study of existing legislation are tasks of a serious nature involving several institutions of the State. Legislative power is one of the aspects of the sovereignty of the people.

“The Constitution itself provides a framework for the legislative process which is supplemented by other laws and by the Standing Orders of Parliament. There already exist within the framework of the Constitution, the law and Standing Orders and adequate mechanisms for this purpose.

“The Sectoral Oversight Committees of Parliament as well as Standing Committees and Select Committees which can be constituted as per the Standing Orders of Parliament, the Law Commission which is an institution established by law are among these mechanisms. In addition, during the last year the Ministry of Justice has appointed several committees to propose reforms to various laws.

“Whilst the Sectoral Oversight Committees are chaired by members of the legislature, the Law Commission is presided over by a senior President’s Counsel. Many of the Committees appointed by the Minister of Justice consist of senior members of the legal profession and of senior academics. Some of these Committees are chaired by Judges of the Superior Courts.

“Apart from these mechanisms, the Attorney General and his Department also play a key role in the law-making process and is recognized by the Constitution. Given that the Department of the Attorney General too plays a key role in this process, questions arise of the role the Task Force will play vis-a-vis the Attorney General and his officers.

“In these circumstances, the appointment of a Task Force to oversee the work of the Ministry of Justice is in view of the BASL improper and outside the accepted framework for lawmaking. Any alienation of what are properly functions of the duly elected legislators and proper legally mandated executive functionaries by relocating their functions elsewhere involves erosion of the Sovereignty of the People.

“The BASL further observes that the Task Force itself is not a representative body, given that it has no female representation nor representation from several ethnic groups and religious groups in the country. Serious doubts also exist as to the qualifications, expertise, and suitability of the Chairperson of the Task Force and of many of its members to engage in the functions described in the Gazette.

“Whilst there is no doubt that the concepts of equality, fairness, non-discrimination, the protection of the law and nationally and internationally recognized humanitarian values are all laudable principles, it is doubtful if the process set out in the Gazette and the creation of the Task Force can make any meaningful contribution in upholding these values.

“What is of utmost importance at present is that the State and the organs of the government including the Executive of which Your Excellency is the head, upholds the rule of law and moves to protect and safeguard the fundamental rights of the people as described in Article 4(d) of the Constitution. In fact, the best way to ensure the objectives set out in the proclamation are by upholding the rule of law and respecting the fundamental rights of the people.

“In the past few months, the BASL which is committed to the Rule of Law has drawn the attention of Your Excellency and to the Government on several instances where the Rule of Law and the Fundamental Rights of the people have been violated. However, the BASL notes with regret that no remedial measures have been taken in this regard.

In the above circumstances the BASL is of the view that no useful purpose would be served by the creation and appointment of the aforesaid Task Force, which in view of the BASL would usurp the functions of many institutions established under the Constitution and the law, including Parliament and the Ministry of Justice.”

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Sun directly overhead Beruwala, Gurulubadda, Rakwana, Godakawela, Udawalawe and Thanamalwila at about 12:13 noon today (06)

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/6

Priyan

On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (06th) are Beruwala, Gurulubadda, Rakwana, Godakawela, Udawalawe and Thanamalwila at about 12:13 noon.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/6

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 05 April 2026, valid for 06 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

West Asian conflict benefits China-managed H’tota Port

Published

14 hours ago

2026/04/6

Thilina Walpola

Extended yard facility, HIP (pic courtesy HIP)

The ongoing West Asia war, triggered by joint Israel-US attack on Iran on 28 Februar, has benefited the China-run Hambantota International Port (HIP).With Iran imposing restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz shipping, in retaliation for unprovoked attack, thereby choking vital shipping routes, particularly for crude oil and refined oil products, HIP situated, along the East-West shipping corridor, has received the anticipated attention.

Soon after the sinking of an unarmed Iranian frigate, just outside Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, in India’s backyard, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar categorised HIP as a foreign military base, along with Diego Garcia, Bahrain and Djibouti, where both the US and China maintained major bases.

HIP, in a press release issued on Sunday (05), declared that the Port has significantly expanded its operational capacity, in response to a sharp surge in global shipping volumes, resulting from the West Asia conflict.

The company asserted that the developing situation reinforced its position as a key alternative hub along the East–West shipping corridor.

The port has doubled its Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) yard capacity and increased its container yard capacity by 30%, as shipping lines divert operations away from disrupted routes in search of stable and efficient alternatives.

HIP is situated just 10 nautical miles from the main East–West shipping route, allowing vessels to divert with minimal deviation while maintaining schedule integrity.

The Chinese government-owned China Merchant Port Holdings (CMPort) under controversial circumstances acquired controlling interests of the Hambantota port in 2017 during the Yahapalanaya administration. Although the Sri Lankan government repeatedly said that Sri Lanka was paid USD 1.12 bn according to the HIP website CMPort invested $974 mn in the HIP and held 85 percent of the shares.

The 2017 agreement granted CMPort a 99-year lease to develop, manage and operate the Port area. The Supreme Court dismissed a fundamental rights petition filed by lawmaker Vasudeva Nanayakkara pointing out that the original agreements pertaining to the Hambantota port had been signed in 2012 and 2013 during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s tenure as the president when he was a member of the Rajapaksa Cabinet.

The HIP press release quoted CEO of HIP Wilson Qu as having said: “What we are witnessing today is a structural shift in global shipping patterns. At HIP, we have focused on building the capacity and operational agility to respond to such changes. Our ability to scale quickly, combined with our location, allows us to support global shipping lines when reliability becomes critical. Looking ahead, we will continue to invest in infrastructure and capabilities to strengthen Hambantota’s role as a key logistics and transshipment hub in the region.”

The rise in both vehicle transshipment and container volumes has driven yard utilization levels to the highest in HIP’s history, highlighting the scale of ongoing supply chain disruptions and the port’s growing strategic importance in global trade.

To accommodate increased throughput, HIP has rapidly expanded yard space across both cargo segments, enabling it to handle higher volumes while maintaining operational efficiency and minimizing congestion. Expanding capacity within a short time frame in a live port environment presents considerable operational and technical challenges and requires significant investment. However, through close coordination across management, engineering and operational teams, HIP was able to deliver these enhancements in step with rising demand.

The HIP statement added: “The expansion reflects Hambantota International Port’s continued development as a resilient logistics platform in the Indian Ocean, as geopolitical developments reshape established maritime routes and increase demand for alternative hubs. As infrastructure scales in tandem with demand, HIP is increasingly positioned to capture a larger share of regional transshipment volumes while supporting the continuity of global supply chains.”

Amidst the continuing uncertainty caused by war and growing threat to international shipping the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) the owning group of HIP recently finalised an agreement to invest USD 108 mn to procure new container handling equipment- six quay cranes, 16 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) and 40 trailers, under the initial phase of the port’s Phase II container terminal development.

By Shamindra Ferdinando