Bar Association asks parties to set aside differences on 19A

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) on Friday, 17 April, clarified its stance on the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.
It called on all political parties in the country to set aside their political differences to act in the best interests of the nation and enact the “crucial” measures proposed in the 19th Amendment.
“The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has been consistently committed to upholding and preserving the Rule of Law in Sri Lanka,” BASL Secretary Ajith Pathirana said in a statement.
He stated that it had always been their unwavering position that the independence of the Judiciary, the independence of the public service including the police force, good governance and zero tolerance towards corruption were essential in a democratic society committed to upholding the rule of law.
“The Bar Association of Sri Lanka sees the provisions in the proposed 19th Amendment to the Constitution on these measures as a necessary and essential step towards achieving these ideals.”
In particular, BASL said, that certain measures that are included in the 19tth Amendment “are crucial at this juncture” and require urgent implementation
These include the re-establishment of the Constitutional Council; the re-establishment of the Independent Commissions, including the National Police Commission and the Elections Commission; the recognition of the Right to Information as a Fundamental Right; the establishment of a transparent and accepted procedure in the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal as well as the abrogation of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution.
“The BASL strongly urges all parties concerned to ensure the immediate enactment of these measures.”
“The BASL calls upon all parties to set aside their political and/or other partisan differences and to act at this moment in the best interests of the nation,” the statement said.