Former Minister of Justice Ali Sabry, PC, has paid tribute to the late senior lawyer and National People’s Power (NPP) Executive Council member Lal Wijenayake, praising his commitment to judicial independence and his willingness to oppose the government’s 22nd Constitutional Amendment despite his political affiliation.
In a tribute following Wijenayake’s passing, Sabry described him as a man who remained faithful to his principles, even when they conflicted with the position of his own political movement.
“Lal Wijenayake was a legend in his own right. Whatever his political allegiance, his heart remained with the people and his conscience remained his own,” Sabry said.
He said Wijenayake considered democracy, equality, the separation of powers and judicial independence to be principles that were beyond negotiation.
Referring to Wijenayake’s opposition to the 22nd Amendment while serving in the NPP leadership, Sabry said his decision demonstrated his commitment to those principles.
“He would not surrender a lifetime of conviction to the demands of the political moment,” Sabry said.
“It is easy to speak of judicial independence from the opposition benches. It takes courage to defend it against one’s own side. A change of government cannot turn yesterday’s wrong into today’s right.”
Sabry also questioned those who had changed their positions on fundamental principles following a change of government.
“If our principles change with the government, what were we defending in the first place?” he asked.
He warned that without an independent judiciary, citizens would be vulnerable to the exercise of state power, while rights could become dependent on those holding political authority.
Sabry said political differences should not prevent people from recognising Wijenayake’s integrity and contribution to democracy.
“He leaves with his conscience intact. No political setback can diminish that victory, just as no political triumph can redeem the surrender of principle,” he said.
Concluding his tribute, Sabry said Wijenayake’s passing had left the country poorer at a time when it needed individuals willing to defend their convictions.
Wijenayake, a veteran left-wing political figure and senior lawyer, passed away on Saturday evening.
He had challenged the 22nd Amendment before the Supreme Court, arguing that the proposed changes affecting the judiciary required approval through a referendum.
The Supreme Court subsequently determined that a referendum was not required, and Parliament passed the amendment on September 25.
Despite publicly opposing the constitutional amendment, Wijenayake had maintained that he would remain within the NPP political movement. (Newswire)