Opposition MPs today (05) issued a statement warning that recent remarks by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pose a serious threat to the independence of the judiciary.
The statement referred to comments made by the President at the May Day rally, where he said he was ready to raise his hand after the court delivers its judgment on May 25.
Opposition legislators said the remark suggested prior knowledge of a pending judgment and amounted to an attempt to bring the judiciary under the will of the executive.
“This statement is a grave threat to the independent judicial process. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done clearly and certainly,” the MPs said.
They stressed that judicial power in Sri Lanka is derived from the people and the Constitution, not from the will of any President, Minister, or political alliance. The judiciary, they noted, remains one of the few institutions that continues to enjoy public respect.
The Opposition urged the government to immediately stop making statements targeting the judiciary and called on the President to withdraw his remarks. They emphasized that the President and the government must act with respect for judicial independence both in word and deed. (Newswire)
