COLOMBO (News 1st); The Commonwealth Lawyers Association says that the organization has been closely monitoring the unfolding crises in Sri Lanka and the rule of law issues that arose in its process.
The organization goes on to say it has recognized and supports the efforts taken by The Bar Association of Sri Lanka to function as an independent bar Association to uphold the rule of law without fear or favor.
The Commonwealth Lawyers Association says that the government of Sri Lanka has severely violated the rights of its citizens who have been involved in the protests against the Government on the 9th of April 2022 who raised their concerns regarding the mismanagement of the Sri Lankan economy and mass corruption by the government by detaining them for 90 days by exploiting the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
The organization goes on to note that the PTA should only be used to prevent the threat of terrorism and should not be used to suppress the rights of the people to their constitutional rights of Freedom of Speech and Expression, as well as Peaceful Protest. The Commonwealth Lawyers Association urges the Ranil Wickremesinghe-led Sri Lankan government to;– Uphold the rule of law in the use of the PTA– To refrain from using the PTA to violate the fundamental rights of Citizens according to the constitution of Sri Lanka– Adhere to the Harare Declaration of 1991 regarding the commitment of Commonwealth Nations to protect the liberty of individuals under the law– And to comply with obligations under international law.