Parliament should ensure swift election of President’s successor – BASL
It is now up to Parliament to ensure that the election of the President’s successor is held without delay in terms of the Constitution and the Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act No. 2 of 1981, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) stated.
Issuing a statement yesterday, the BASL calls upon all parties to honour the decisions taken at the Party Leaders meeting on July 9 and to act in an expeditious manner that will restore public confidence in the legal and Constitutional mechanisms of Sri Lanka including its institutions.
The date fixed for this election, namely July 20, can remain unchanged, despite delays in the formal resignation of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, since Parliament is now convened today (16). The BASL notes the uncertainty which has prevailed in the country since July 09, 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”, the BASL further added.
The BASL also highlighted the need of the hour to make decisions based on the best interests of the country and not the personal or political interests of any individual or political party. Members of Parliament must do everything in their power to prevent Sri Lanka from plunging into further chaos and to restore social, political and economic stability.
The BASL welcomes the fact that the Government premises have been vacated by the protesters in view of the impending resignation of the President.
The BASL also urges the public to support the early conclusion of the Constitutional process and to refrain from any acts that would impinge on the important transition of power taking place in Sri Lanka for the first time in its history.