BASL urges all parties to respect party leaders’ decision

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday requested all parties to respect the decisions taken at the Party Leaders meeting on 9th July 2022 and to act in an expeditious manner in order to restore public confidence in the legal and Constitutional mechanisms of Sri Lanka.

In a statement, the BASL stated that it is up to the Parliament to elect successor to the post of Presidency without delay in terms of the Constitution and the Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act No. 2 of 1981.

The BASL maintained that the date fixed for this election, namely 20th July 2022, can remain unchanged, despite delays in the formal resignation of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa,since Parliament is now convened today (16).

The BASL noted the uncertainty which has prevailed in the country since the 9th 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, BASL statement added.