Constitutional amendments must not be used as political tools, charges Dinana Dakuna

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's arguments on judicial independence and the efficiency of the judicial system on behalf of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution lack depth, the Dinnana Dakuna collective emphasises.

Unilaterally releasing ideas expressed by the president during discussions held with Bar Association representatives remains problematic, Dinnana Dakuna collective pointed out issuing an announcement.

Taking a risk regarding the independence of the judiciary, which forms an essential part of the sovereignty of the people, places the sovereignty held by the public in grave danger, Dinnana Dakuna collective emphasises.

Furthermore, the attempt made by the executive to introduce the 22nd Amendment while taking such a risk can cause a serious impact on the independence of the judiciary as well as the sovereignty of the people, they state.

Although the executive can take political risks during socio-economic development projects, taking such risks regarding extending the tenure of judges while gambling with the independence of the judiciary places the entire constitutional framework in danger, the relevant statement showed.

Taking a political policy risk to manage the judicial system stands as gambling with the future of a country, the collective emphasised.

Statements made by the president regarding filling judicial vacancies remain contradictory, and delaying or suspending promotions of judges arbitrarily according to the president's opinion stands as a blatant violation of the right to respect the fair legal expectations of those judges, the relevant statement shows.

The president repeatedly confirmed that he will not hesitate to take any risk to bring the judicial system under the command of the executive by confusing the entire judicial system while suspending the inherent professional progression of judges for an arbitrary need of his, Dinnana Dakuna collective pointed out.

What is required for judicial efficiency consists of structural reforms, digital infrastructure, increasing the number of judges in lower courts, and providing adequate staff, not extending the tenure of judges, the relevant statement further showed.

Even though it is said that the president's statements were made in good faith, politically intelligent citizens are requested by the Dinnana Dakuna collective to look into the bitter reality existing behind those statements rather than looking at their surfaced.

Dinnana Dakuna collective urged the president to immediately stop using fraudulent constitutional amendments that affect the judiciary as a political tool.