The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding judicial independence. This response comes after President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent remarks in Parliament regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Gender Equality Bill.
The BASL emphasized the Supreme Court’s critical role in ensuring legislation aligns with the Constitution. While acknowledging that the public may hold differing opinions, the BASL criticized any attempts by the legislature or executive to influence the Court’s decisions.
The BASL firmly believes that the judiciary must function independently and be free from any external pressures. Recent parliamentary discussions, which referred to “Judicial Cannibalism” and proposed forming a committee to review the Court’s decision, are viewed by the BASL as attempts to undermine judicial independence and force through a bill deemed unconstitutional.
The BASL considers President Wickremesinghe’s statement a threat to the Court and the entire judicial system, viewing the establishment of a committee to review the Supreme Court’s ruling as setting a dangerous precedent.
The statement concludes by stressing the responsibility of both the executive and legislative branches to respect the judiciary’s role. Any interference, the BASL warns, could jeopardize the rule of law in Sri Lanka.
