August 11, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa claimed that members of the ruling party would be unable to provide a clear explanation for the proposed 22nd Amendment, particularly the move to extend the retirement age of judges.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to the Dambulla Rajamaha Viharaya, Rajapaksa said extending the retirement age would not resolve the backlog of cases in the courts.
“If we want to expedite the hearing of cases pending in the courts, everyone knows that extending the age of judges will not achieve that. Existing vacancies must be filled and new courts must be established,” he said.
He questioned why the Government was seeking to extend the judges’ tenure without addressing those issues, adding that he was unsure whether even the President was aware of the reason behind the proposed amendment.
Rajapaksa also claimed that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, the Commonwealth Bar Association, the Asian Bar Association, lower court judges, professionals and a majority of the public had expressed concerns that the proposed changes could affect the independence of the judiciary.
Turning to law and order, he accused the Government of using the police as a political arm, claiming that police investigations were being conducted swiftly when statements were made by opposition politicians while insufficient action was being taken against organised crime and other security threats.
He also criticised the Government over the recent incidents involving shootings and attacks on houses, saying the authorities should focus on ensuring public security.
Rajapaksa further called for an investigation into conditions in the country’s prisons and questioned the Minister of Justice and Prison Affairs over prison inspections, infrastructure and expenditure.
He asked how many prisons the Minister had inspected since assuming office and how much of the budget allocated for prison infrastructure, inmates and prison officers had actually been spent.
“There is no point in accusing the Opposition without answering these questions,” he said, adding that the Government should explain how it had addressed problems within the prison system.
Rajapaksa also accused the Government of adopting a policy of repression against political opponents, journalists, farmers, doctors, entrepreneurs and graduates.
He alleged that people raising concerns over professional, economic or social issues were being labelled or suppressed instead of having their grievances addressed.
Despite this, he said the Opposition would continue to speak out on behalf of the public.
“No matter how much you try to suppress the Opposition and public opinion, the people of this country will not be silenced,” Rajapaksa said.
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