Bar Association urges senior lawyers to raise their voice

Gunaratne Wanninanyake, president of the Colombo Magistrate Court Bar Association (CMCBA), told BBC Sandeshaya that the legal professionals should take a greater responsibility for the crisis.

The Association has passed a resolution passed urging the authorities to appoint the CC without a delay.

Copies of the resolution were sent to the president, opposition leader and to the speaker.

'Ilegal' appointments

The United Nations and international rights watchdogs have criticised President Rajapaksa’s ‘illegal’ action to appoint members to bodies that need the recommendation from the CC.

The appointment of CC was delayed as minor political parties could not agree on their nominee.

The Bar Association in Sri Lanka and all other senior lawyers are silent on the issue CMCBA

The parties however recently agreed to nominate former Auditor General, CS Mayadunne.

Religious leaders, professionals and many civil society groups have been urging the president to appoint the body without delay.

"The Bar Association in Sri Lanka and all other senior lawyers are silent on the issue," Gunaratne Wanninanyake told journalist KS Udayakumar.

There are 84 Presidents Counsels in Sri Lanka, he said, but they all have failed to raise their voice.

The CMCBA is planning to propose a resolution at Sri Lanka Bar Association “at the earliest opportunity” and urge them to take immediate action.