Power-restricted politicians criticising CC: Peace Council

The National Peace Council (NPC) yesterday said criticism aimed at the Constitutional Council (CC) is likely to be a result of frustration felt by elected politicians that their power is being restricted and their political goals and personal whims and fancies do not prevail.

In a statement, the NPC said the CC is primarily aimed at depoliticising the state and public service and ensuring the rule of law prevails. “In their original formulation in the 17th Amendment the setting up of these institutions was approved without dissent by parliament, which included those leaders who now denounce it. The independent commissions whose members they appoint are meant to restrict the power of politicians to interfere into the judiciary, police, elections commission and investigations into bribery and corruption to mention some,” it said.

It also said political leaders should appreciate the work of the CC and independent commissions without trying to reverse the good governance gains they have brought to the country.

“President Sirisena and senior members of the opposition including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa have harshly criticized the CC and the Human Rights Commission. Their accusations range from failing to favourably consider the President’s nominations to the judiciary, causing the collapse of public administration, putting obstacles in the path of the government’s campaign to root out criminal activities and the narcotics trade and even being culpable for the death of Sri Lankan soldiers on a peacekeeping mission.

Their accusations range from failing to favourably consider the President’s nominations to the judiciary, causing the collapse of public administration, putting obstacles in the path of the government’s campaign to root out criminal activities and the narcotics trade and even being culpable for the death of Sri Lankan soldiers on a peacekeeping mission

The NPC is concerned that the unreasonableness of these criticisms erodes the commitment to basic principles of good governance,” the NPC said. “We call on the President and all political leaders of our country, to ensure that an enabling environment be provided to independent commissions like the Human Rights Commission to perform their duties without undue political interference. We believe that the President and government are duty bound to support and respect the independence of such institutions, which must be explicit in their words and actions,” it said.