BASL urges all parties to respect party leaders’ decision

• Act in an expeditious manner in order to restore public confidence in the legal and constitutional mechanisms 

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday requested all parties to respect the decisions taken at the Party Leaders meeting on 9th July 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 Parliament to elect a successor to the post of President 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 Gotabaya Rajapaksa, since Parliament will be convened today (16).
The BASL noted the uncertainty which has prevailed in the country since 9th July 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, 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, the BASL statement added.