- Condemns ‘dangerous precedent’ of interference in judicial independence
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) said that since no Parliamentary powers or privileges have been violated by the Supreme Court’s (SC) recent interim order issued barring the Finance and Treasury Secretary from withholding Budgetary allocations for polls, the Court should not be called on to explain judicial orders to anyone, as such interference in the independent judicial process sets a dangerous precedent which should be condemned.
Issuing a statement with regard to the matter of the said interim order being taken up by the Parliamentary Committee on Ethics and Privileges following a privilege issue raised against it by Government Parliamentarian, Attorney Premnath C. Dolawatte, the private and unofficial bar helmed by BASL President Kaushalya Nawaratne and BASL Secretary Isuru Balapatabendi, stated that it reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the independence of the Judiciary in light of the recent trend of pressure being exerted over the Judiciary that would potentially threaten and undermine important principles such as the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary which hold that the Judiciary should be allowed to operate independently, free from external pressures, threats or any interference.
It is, the BASL noted, the duty of all Governmental and other institutions to respect and observe the independence of the Judiciary.
Source By themorning.lk
