Executive acts in a secret manner-Ex CJ

19 July 2011 07:08 pm - 23 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Lack of transparency in the Executive has led many problems in the country, said former chief justice Sarath N. Silva yesterday.

Addressing a seminar entitled, “Is the Executive, a Challenge to the People’s Sovereignty?” in Colombo, the former chief justice alleged that there was no openness or transparency in the Executive.

“Though the activities of the legislature and the judiciary are accessible to the public, the Executive acts in a secret manner,” he said.

The former chief justice said that the lack of the right to access public information had strengthened the arm of the Executive. He maintained that the hedging agreement that cost the country millions of dollars, the import and distribution of low quality petrol by the CPC and the present financial crisis in the CEB could have been avoided if the Executive had acted in a responsible and transparent manner.

“Though the Supreme Court bench headed by me delivered an order to reduce the price of a litre of petrol to Rs.100, the Cabinet headed by the President decided to reject the order,” he said. He further alleged that, though the Supreme Court had given an order to stop payments to several commercial banks over the hedging agreement, the government had ignored the Court order and paved the way for present financial crisis.

The former chief justice said that the sovereignty of the people was inalienable. He said that the people had exercised their power to chase away corrupt and irresponsible rulers on several occasions in the past.

(Lakmal Sooriyagoda)

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Comments - 23

Ravana Wednesday, 20 July 2011 06:41 AM

Some of the judgements given in your time leave much to be desired ! How about justifying those and improving your credibility first ?

jumbo Wednesday, 20 July 2011 10:24 AM

Dear Mr. CJ, you are heading for a possible SF scenario...don;t mess around the Executive..he is represented by peoples power, not just by judicial system of Sri Lanka

ishi Wednesday, 20 July 2011 10:13 AM

in front of whom? Anybody knows?

justice Wednesday, 20 July 2011 10:06 AM

You realesed MR for your interest and you are talking rubbish.

samosa Wednesday, 20 July 2011 09:26 AM

How can we say people exercise their rulers while the corrupted rulers start to manipulate election results... This made us believe that the government chosen by majority...

Xman Wednesday, 20 July 2011 09:22 AM

May God bless you. We need our learned to speak the truth and show us the path or there will be parasites beyond control (too much) sucking naive our blood.
God bless you !

Pradeep Wednesday, 20 July 2011 08:25 AM

During your time you acted in excentric manner.
In fact some people were caught in Kotte area near paliament secret talk with a woman?
Do not through stones at others if you live in glass house.

Bird Eye Wednesday, 20 July 2011 08:05 AM

.Masses are uneducated. They were misleading to get the vote.

Minister Wednesday, 20 July 2011 07:59 AM

Former CJ's comments have a greater weight in the international forum rather than a foolish speech of a politico!

Basila Wednesday, 20 July 2011 07:58 AM

Aho! Widhayaka Balathala?

Lal Wednesday, 20 July 2011 06:43 AM

we do agree 100% with you Mr Former CJ on particular case However you alsohad acted like same executive when you were the cj there were cases no fair judgments.

Banda Wednesday, 20 July 2011 06:39 AM

Thank you sir. .Many people don't know about the real motives of politico. Please educate the public with facts like this

Jayantha de Alwis Wednesday, 20 July 2011 12:39 AM

Mr. Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, we salute for your currages views on this matter. Please do not rest until the culprits of the hedging deal are punished.

cracko Wednesday, 20 July 2011 06:22 AM

All because they defeated LTTE.

DUWI Wednesday, 20 July 2011 06:11 AM

Like swearing in the former President for her second term in secret.

silva Wednesday, 20 July 2011 06:10 AM

learn your manners lima. this is not the way to address an educated person who was the former chief justice.

Kan Wednesday, 20 July 2011 06:00 AM

Hon Sir,please do not sit quiet until these economic saboteurs in the ruling government are arrested for crimes and tried in courts and punished for squandering tax payers money. Thanks for being brave and open.

Haththilawwe Wednesday, 20 July 2011 05:46 AM

CJ welldone for your comments...You should take this message to rural areas and explain the facts..

LIMA Wednesday, 20 July 2011 03:40 AM

well said silva , but wait and see whether this exe will act to the people's will or against and punish this silva , this is going to happen soon by hook or by crook , this is the practice in our pearl paradise from 1995

Calistus Jayatilleke Wednesday, 20 July 2011 02:35 AM

But in this country, people continue to exercise their vote to perpetuate the corrupt and irresponsible rulers who act without any transparency, probably in the mistaken feeling that they are being "patriotic"

Dalubanda Wednesday, 20 July 2011 02:07 AM

Well said Sir.

Thomas Wednesday, 20 July 2011 01:35 AM

You are 100% correct

Bumba Wednesday, 20 July 2011 01:10 AM

Well said Sir. You are a man with a backbone who can stand against injustice to the people. We hope the opposition and the media will follow you soon.

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Executive acts in a secret manner-Ex CJ

Comments - 23

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