Bar Association frowns on appointment

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka commenting on the appointment of a retired High Court Judge as the High Court Commissioner by Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, said there is no justification for the action.

Issuing a statement yesterday (28), Geoffrey Alagaratnam, PC, President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) said that the anticipated functions can be performed by High Court Judges appointed by the President on the recommendations of the Judicial Service Commission.

The BASL urged the Government to reverse the process and to take urgent steps to fill the vacancies in the High Court Cadre to ensure an efficient service.

The Justice Minister has appointed the High Court Commissioner to expeditiously hear cases under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and Emergency Regulations. According to the BASL, appointing a High Court Commissioner is used in exceptional circumstances when there is a shortage of judges conversant in a particular language.

"The present appointment is made while there are several vacancies in the High Court cadre and when there are senior judicial officers fit and suitable for such appointments," PC Alagaratnam said in the statement.