- Lawyers collective writes to JSC
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People's Power (NPP) yesterday (23) strongly criticised attempts by the Executive and Legislature to undermine the independence of the Judiciary under the guise of parliamentary privileges expressing its grave concerns over statements that could potentially erode public trust in the country's Judicial System.
The criticism by the leftist party comes in the wake of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s criticism of a Supreme Court ruling in Parliament last week, which drew censure from opposition politicians and professionals alike.
Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (23) President's Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma, a key member of the NPP Lawyers' group, highlighted the detrimental impact of such statements. "Making such statements in Parliament shatters the public trust placed in the country's Judiciary," Kumarapperuma said, emphasising that judicial officers are unable to respond to public accusations due to their professional constraints, making these attacks particularly unfair.
Kumarapperuma, stating that a letter has been sent by the Judicial Services Association (JSA), a collective body of judicial officers, to the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), noted that many of the accusations against judicial officers stem from personal matters, rather than professional misconduct. "Certain accusations are extremely due to personal matters," he added.
He further stated that since 1977, the Judiciary has faced intimidation from both the Executive and Legislative branches of Government, and highlighted that these ongoing pressures compromise the Judiciary's ability to function independently and impartially.
He stressed that the NPP vehemently condemn these moves by the Executive and Legislative branches, reiterating their commitment to upholding judicial independence. "The Judiciary must not be attacked for someone's personal matters," Kumarapperuma stated, urging all parties to respect the separation of powers that is fundamental to a functioning democracy.
He made these remarks following certain statements made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Minister of Justice, Prison Reforms, and Constitutional Affairs, Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe PC, Minister Dr. Susil Premajayntha, and Opposition Parliamentarian (MP) Dayasiri Jayasekara. The President made scathing criticisms over the Supreme Court's determination given to the Gender Equality Act, while Minister Rajapakshe disclosed activities of alleged corruption by lower Court judges in Sri Lanka.