Refusing to back down on his stance to carry out the death penalty, President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday criticised the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka for what he termed as interference in Government decisions to establish law and order, and the Constitutional Council for disregarding his recommendations on promotions of judges.
Sirisena, addressing the Parliament, criticised the human rights institution for standing up for the rights of the prisoners and the criminals with drug convictions. Commending the Special Task Force of the Sri Lanka Police, which is under the President, Sirisena attacked the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) for questioning the deployment of STF in the Angunakolapelessa prison.
“The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka is appearing for whom? Special Task Force is a highly capable unit. So, we have extended the tenure of the STF Commandant, Senior Deputy Inspector General M. R. Latheef by a year. I am happy the Cabinet stood together to make this unanimous decision. STF supports us taking action against the drugs and the underworld. But the Human Rights Commission is questioning us why we have used the STF in the Angunakolapelessa Prison, sending us a long list of questions,” he said.
He also passed the blame for the two Sri Lankan army personnel killed recently in Mali while serving the United Nations peacekeeping mission to HRCSL.
Speaker Karu Jayasuriya Makes Special Statement in Parliament Refuting “Unjust” Critical Allegations Made By President Sirisena Against the Constitutional Council and Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission
I made a statement before this August Assembly even on 25th January 2019 regarding the activities of the Constitutional Council.
I informed on that occasion that I had tabled on 08.12.2016 in Parliament a report containing the guidelines followed by the Constitutional Council in submitting nominations for appointing members to the Independent Commissions laid down in Article 41 (b) of the Constitution and in approving the nominees sent to us by the President for appointing persons to positions stipulated in Article 41 (c) of the Constitution as stated by me. In addition to that, the report containing the aforesaid guidelines will be tabled in Parliament tomorrow for the information of Hon. Members.
It shall be mentioned that seniority, integrity, independence and impartiality of persons are considered in addition to the said guidelines in appointing persons to respective positions.