Former President of the Bar Association (BASL) Saliya Pieris, PC, yesterday (07), said the legal profession should take a strong stand on President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s continuing intervention in judicial matters. He stressed that they couldn’t turn a blind eye to presidential interventions.
Pieris made the following statement to The Island regarding President Wickremesinghe’s controversial comments at the Coconut Growers’ Association 29th AGM on 04 August: “The President’s speech, where he referred to the courts saying ‘that the government will not heed orders or advice from any other party, except Parliament, with regard to debt optimization measures, as a veiled warning to the judiciary and as an attempt to interfere with the judicial process.
“The President’s remarks are made at a time when there are cases in court challenging the Debt Restructuring programme and its impact on the EPF.
“What other institution can order the Government, except the Courts?
“Any effort to undermine the independence and integrity of the judiciary, by the Executive ,on any pretext, should not be allowed. The legal profession should take a strong position on this matter.”
The lawyers representing Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) over the weekend strongly criticised the President’s comments. (SF)