BASL Condemns Government Interference in SC Order on IGP

Colombo (News 1st): The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has strongly criticized the government's attempts to undermine the Supreme Court's interim order on the appointment of Inspector General of Police, Deshabandu Tennakoon.

In a statement, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka asserted that the Supreme Court, after hearing all parties, including the Attorney General and Deshabandu Tennakoon's counsel, issued an interim order barring him from functioning as the IGP until the final verdict. The case is scheduled for November 11, 2024.

The claim that the Supreme Court does not have power to call into question appointments made by the President which are approved by the Constitutional Council is, in the view of the BASL, totally untenable.

The 19th Amendment to the Constitution subjects most presidential powers, except for declaring war and peace, are subject to the Fundamental Rights Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

Citing previous instances where the Supreme Court had quashed the grant of pardons by the President, quashed the dissolution of Parliament and held against the President who was in office
during the Easter Sunday attacks, the BASL underlined the court's authority in such matters.

The BASL unequivocally stated that no authority, including the Prime Minister or the Speaker, can overrule Supreme Court decisions.

The association warned that failure to honour the decisions of the courts of the land by the Government will result in a loss of public confidence in the administration of justice and will seriously imperil democracy.

Expressing full confidence in the judiciary, the BASL said it will stand by the judiciary in order to ensure that its integrity is protected at this critical hour.