COLOMBO: The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called on the Parliament, which represents the entire country, to respect the sovereignty of the People and their wishes in electing a new President and not to plunge the country into further chaos.
Issuing a statement, following the official resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the BASL said now it is up to the parliament to restore social, political and economic stability taking decisions based on the best interests of the country and not the personal or political interests of any individual or political party.
“it is now up to Parliament to ensure that the election of his successor is held without delay in terms of the Constitution and the Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act No. 2 of 1981. The BASIL calls upon all parties to honor the decisions taken at the Party Leaders meeting on 9th July 2022 and to act in an expeditious manner that will restore public confidence in the legal and Constitutional mechanisms of Sri Lanka including its institutions.
The date fixed for this election, namely 20th July 2022, can remain unchanged, despite delays in the formal resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, since Parliament is now convened tomorrow (16).
The BASL notes the uncertainty which has prevailed in the country since the 9% of July 2022, over the resignation of the President and the appointment of the acting President under Article 37(1) of the Constitution which should have been avoided at a time when the country has been affected by social, political
and economic instability.
In electing the new President, the Members of Parliament now represent the entire electorate of Sri Lanka and must perform this onerous duty respecting the sovereignty of the People and their wishes and uphold democratic values. The need of the hour is to take decisions based on the best interests of the country and not the personal or political interests of any individual or political party. Members of Parliament must do everything in their power to prevent Sri Lanka from plunging into further chaos and to restore social, political
and economic stability.
The BASL welcomes the fact that government premises have been vacated by the protesters in view of the impending resignation of the President.
As we wait for an early resolution of the present crisis, the BASL urges the public to support the early conclusion of the Constitutional process and to refrain from any acts that would impinge on the important transition of power taking place in Sri Lanka for the first time in its history.”
