SC order has not violated Parliament Privileges: BASL

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda

There has been no violation of the powers and the privileges of Parliament, by the interim order issued by Supreme Court on the Local Government Election, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) announced yesterday.  

In a statement, the BASL stated that the Supreme Court being an independent institution should not be called upon to explain judicial orders to any other person or institution.  
The BASL stated that it was aware that an order made by the Supreme Court has been referred to the Parliamentary Committee on Ethics and Privileges.  

The BASL is of the view that the Judiciary should be allowed to operate independently, free from external pressures, threats or any interference, for a vibrant democracy to exist.  
The BASL further viewed that it is the duty of all governmental and other institutions to respect and observe the independence of the judiciary, and any interference in the judicial process, sets a dangerous precedent, which must be strongly condemned.  

This statement had been issued by BASL President Kaushalya Nawaratne and its Secretary Isuru Balapatabendi.  

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) observed that the Government published an ‘Anti Terrorism Bill’, on the 22nd of March 2023. This Bill seeks to abolish the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and introduce an Anti-Terrorism Act.  

The BASL is of the view that no legislation should be introduced to curtail and suppress, directly or indirectly the fundamental rights of citizens, enshrined in the Constitution and that this Bill if passed into law will have far reaching effects.   

The BASL stated that the Bill has been published in the Gazette without adequate consultations with the relevant stakeholders including the BASL. Therefore, the BASL urges the Government to consider to defer the Bill until there is a wider stakeholder consultation and the concerns of stakeholders including the BASL are taken into account.   
This statement had been issued by BASL President Kaushalya Nawaratne and its Secretary Isuru Balapatabendi.     

• No legislation should be introduced to curtail and suppress, directly or indirectly the fundamental rights of citizens, enshrined in the Constitution