Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer and Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa has launched a scathing attack on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, demanding that the administration disclose the identities of the "seniors and experts" consulted regarding proposed changes to the country's judicial framework.
Speaking to journalists at the SLPP headquarters in Nelum Mawatha, Rajapaksa voiced strong concerns over executive decisions that he warned could directly compromise judicial independence. "The President claims to have consulted seniors and experts in the field before making these decisions," Rajapaksa said. "We would like to know who these seniors and legal experts advising the President actually are."
Rajapaksa highlighted widespread opposition to the government's plans from key legal and international stakeholders, pointing out that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), sitting judges, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Asian Lawyers' Association, and the United Nations have all raised red flags over potential threats to the rule of law. "If major legal bodies and international organizations have informed the executive that this lack of clarity risks undermining judicial independence, I cannot fathom the political risk the President is taking," he stated.
"Risks aside, it appears the President is simply desperate to grab public attention."
Addressing systemic delays in the legal sector, the MP argued that extending retirement ages or terms will not resolve the country's court backlogs. He emphasized that meaningful reform requires expanding lower courts and High Courts, rather than introducing temporary fixes.
Taking aim at the administration's governance record, Rajapaksa criticized the President, who also oversees the Finance portfolio, for unresolved security and financial lapses. He noted that failing to address critical issues like high-profile port smuggling operations or financial breaches while focusing on judicial extensions signals a distraction tactics strategy.
Rajapaksa also accused the President of a lack of transparency regarding state dialogue, questioning why concerns submitted by the Bar Association were not released to the media alongside official executive statements.
Additionally, he noted that the President has failed to publicly address inquiries sent by the Chief Prelates of the Malwatte and Asgiriya chapters."While the President speaks of being ready to step down at any moment, his parliamentary allies are positioning themselves for decades," Rajapaksa added. "The government has reached a point where it is willing to compromise public interest and state institutions simply for political survival."
