News
Weerasekera rejects BASL allegation that his speech in Parliament was ‘brazen attack on judiciary’
SLPP MP and retired Rear Admiral and Sarath Weerasekera, replying to a Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) statement published in The Island on 12 July, yesterday rejected the allegation that his speech in Parliament on 07 July was a brazen attack on the judiciary.
Weerasekera’s response: “I think your press release was to show your solidarity with the lawyers in Mulativu without probing the relevant incident at Kurundi Buddhist Temple Complex.
“Every citizen in the country is fully aware that the judiciary should be allowed to operate independently, free of external pressures, etc., which the Bar Association doesn’t have to emphasise.
“I would like to remind the BA that once the TNA legislator M.A. Sumanthiran, in parliament, accused the Supreme Court of swinging like a pendulum. During the debate on 22 A, he said if the Supreme Court can’t read and understand their own determination ask them “to go home”! Why didn’t BA issue a statement condemning that? Was it not a brazen attack on the judiciary? Is the BA afraid of Sumanthiran?
“I would like to remind the Bar Association of the report submitted by the special rapporteur Monica Pinto on “Sri Lankan judiciary” to the UNHRC. A few of the allegations she has leveled against our judiciary were as under.
“a. Judges are reportedly often offered government or other political offices after retirement. This practice raises concern regarding possible conflict of interest and casts doubts on the independence and impartiality of the judges who may be hoping to obtain such positions.
“b. Overall judicial independence seems to have been gradually eroded over the years.
“c. Bar Association during certain periods strongly divided along political lines. The politicisation of the association is a source of great concern.
“d. Judges frequently push defendants to plead guilty. When defendants plead guilty judges can expedite their cases and improve their statistics.
“e. In general the Admin of justice should be more transparent, decentralised and democratic.
“We haven’t seen the BASL, which is supposed to safeguard the independence and dignity of our judiciary making any statement Against such a derogatory report.
“However I must mention that I volunteered and attended the UNHRC session on 18 June 2017 and declared that Monica’ s report was a derogatory of our judiciary with a proud history of 200 hundred years.
“Also, I asked her how she had come to the conclusion that the Sri Lankan judges were incompetent, incapable, poorly selected, corrupt, cowardly and partial within just eight days of her visit to the country.
“I said it was a preconceived and predetermined observation of Pinto and invited all to look at the achievements of the judges who worked in foreign countries.
“This was how I safeguarded the dignity of our judiciary at international level when the BASL was keeping quiet.
“I, as a parliamentarian, am fully aware how to conduct myself in parliament. I request the BASL to visit the North and observe how the Buddhist ruins are being plundered and destroyed by ruffians and how the Chaithyas are raised to the ground.
“The archaeological officers are threatened with death and cases filed with the help of Mulativu lawyers to delay renovations and then destroy what has been already done.
“We all respect our judiciary. But the lawyers also have a moral obligation to think twice before appearing for goons who destroy our heritage.”
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake has instructed relevant officials to provide the maximum support necessary to successfully hold the Global Bora Community’s Spiritual Assembly and Convention scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka.
The Secretary to the President issued these instructions during discussions held on Thursday (12) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the Global Bora Conference and Convention.
The Bora Conference and Convention will be held from 27 June to 05 July, coinciding with the Bora Community’s Spiritual Assembly, centred on the Bambalapitiya Bora Mosque and the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre, with the participation of the community’s Spiritual Leader His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin Sahib.
Approximately fifteen thousand members of the Bora Community from India and numerous other countries are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka for this Convention and Conference. Extensive discussions were held regarding the provision of all infrastructure facilities, including airport arrangements, for them.
A group of the Bora Community’s religious leaders, along with officials including the Secretary to the Foreign Ministry, Aruni Ranaraja and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, participated in this occasion.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has reached consensus with Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP), United National Party (UNP) and the People’s Alliance (PA) to take control of Akurana, Kadugannawa, Kuliyapitiya and Udubaddawa Pradeshiya Sabhas.
Opposition parties made the announcement at a joint media briefing by SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, PA General Secretary Lasantha Alagiyawanna and UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala.
Terms of 161 out of 339 local government bodies to which elections were held in May commenced on June 2. The ruling NPP and the Opposition parties have been trying to seize control of the remaining councils. Contestants failed to secure working majorities in 178 councils. Both sides have accused each other of trying to bribe elected members in a bid to take control of the councils.
Elections were not held to two local government institutions on 06 May—the Kalmunai Urban Council due to a court case and the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS), which was elected last year.
Responding to questions, the Opposition spokespersons said that they were confident of forming administration and many more councils.
SJB sources said that the Opposition was also working on an arrangement regarding the Colombo Municipal Council scheduled to meet on Monday (16) for the first time when the Mayor will be elected.
Leader of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Mano Ganeshan, MP, has alleged that the NPP bribed two of its members in the Haldumulla PS to vote in favour of the person nominated by the NPP as the chairman.
The committee, chaired by Supreme Court Judge P.P. Surasena, inquiring into the conduct of IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon will meet daily from 16 June.
Director Legislative Services / Director Communication (Acting) of Parliament M. Jayalath Perera said that the decision had been taken on 11 June, when four witnesses gave evidence before the Committee. The IGP is under investigation regarding acts of gross abuse of power.
The committee, chaired by Supreme Court Judge P.P. Surasena and comprising Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake, Chairman, National Police Commission, convened at Parliament from 9.30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m., during which evidence was thus recorded.
The committee of inquiry with the participation of Additional Solicitor General (President’s Counsel) Dileepa Peiris and Deputy Solicitor
General Rajitha Perera, representing the Attorney General’s Department, and R.S. Weerawickrama Attorney-at-Law, appearing on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, cross-examined the witnesses.
Government to facilitate Bora Conference
Australia ahead after Cummins, Rabada and Ngidi dominate pulsating second day
Heavy showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts
-
Business6 days agoRegional Ambassador for Wildlife Photography
-
Business6 days agoDialog Enterprise reaffirms commitment to Sri Lankan SMEs as the Title Sponsor of Industry Expo 2025
-
Features4 days agoLTTE and Canadian complicity
-
Business6 days agoThe Evolving Story of Pure Ceylon Tea
-
News4 days agoIranganie celebrates her birthday today
-
Business6 days agoSLIM partners with ministry to produce Sri Lanka’s top Business Advisors
-
Sports5 days agoMathews’ 10,000- run regret
-
News2 days agoUK confirms ongoing war crimes investigation into British mercenaries in Sri Lanka