Three Commonwealth associations once again issuing a statement have expressed deep concern over the continuing political crisis in Sri Lanka.
The Commonwealth lawyers Association, Commonwealth legal Education Association, and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) recalling the statement issued earlier by the CPA on November 8 called upon all Parties to the present conflict to observe scrupulously and in good faith the provisions of the Constitution relating to the respective roles of the executive, parliament and the judiciary.
Underscoring the Commonwealth’s Latimer House Principles that Sri Lanka as a member of the Commonwealth has also signed, the organizations said the parliamentarians must be able to perform their duties without unlawful interference.
Following is the full statement:
STATEMENT ON SRI LANKA
The Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the Commonwealth Legal Education Association and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association…
Recalling the statement issued by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association on the 8 November 2018 ( click here) expressing its concern at the recent political developments in Sri Lanka
Express their Deep Concern at the implications of the continuing political crisis for the rule of law in Sri Lanka.
Call Upon all Parties to the present conflict to observe scrupulously and in good faith the provisions of the Constitution relating to the respective roles of the executive, parliament and the judiciary, together with:
- The provisions of The Commonwealth Charter and the Commonwealth (Latimer House) Principles on the Three Branches of Government to which Sri Lanka, as a member of the Commonwealth and recent holder of the Chair-in Office, is committed;
- The references in the Charter to the responsibility of governments, political parties and civil society for ‘upholding and promoting democratic culture and practices and to the recognition of ‘the importance of maintaining the integrity of the roles of the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary’ and
- The requirement in The Latimer House Principles, in the light of recent disruption in the conduct of parliamentary business, that ‘Parliamentarians must be able to carry out their legislative and constitutional functions in accordance with the Constitution, free from unlawful interference’.
Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA)
Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA)
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)
