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  • Commonwealth Secretary-General concerned about parliamentary move to impeach Sri Lankan chief justice

Commonwealth Secretary-General concerned about parliamentary move to impeach Sri Lankan chief justice

15 November 2012

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma today expressed concern about the recent move by the Parliament of Sri Lanka to impeach the country’s Chief Justice, Dr Shirani Bandaranayake.

Speaking in London, the Secretary-General said: “The Commonwealth's principal consideration is that the provisions of Sri Lanka's constitution are upheld with regards to the removal of judges, respecting the independence of the judiciary.”

The Secretary-General stressed that the Commonwealth believes the preservation of the rule of law and independence of the judiciary are vital to the healthy functioning of a democracy. He noted: “The Commonwealth's Latimer House Principles, which govern the relationship between the three branches of government, are a cornerstone of our association’s values. All our member states have committed themselves to upholding the Latimer House Principles so that citizens' faith and confidence in democratic culture is assured and the rule of law is maintained.”

Contact
Richard Uku
Director of Communications and Public Affairs
Commonwealth Secretariat
Tel. +44 (0) 7747 6380
Email: r.uku@commonwealth.int

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  • 1. Dec 12 2012 12:47AM, Neil Silva wrote:

    It is important that the Commonwealth take action prevent Sri Lanka becoming another dictatorial country by removing the Chief Justice. As evidence, there was no transparency and fairness to the process. It is time that the next Commonwealth meeting is not held in Colombo and send a strong message to the President of Sri Lanka to suspend Sri Lanka from the membership Lets show the courage for democracy.

  • 2. Nov 18 2012 8:28PM, Sridas Sivasambo wrote:

    With erosion of Democracy and prevalence of a culture of impunity and lawlessness Sri Lanka is least qualified to host a Commonwealth Summit

  • 3. Nov 18 2012 1:21AM, Kumarathasan Rasingam wrote:

    It will be damn shame on Commonwealth to allow Sri Lanka to host 2013 CHOGM for its Human right violation [the UN internal report release shortly] targeting the media, judiciary, human rights activists etc. Our [Canadian] PM & Foreign Minister have already expressed their unwillingness to attend the CHOGM in Sri Lanka. It is better for the Commonwealth to change the venue immediately to another country to host.


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